Seattle Symphony, Opera temporarily avert musicians strike
Oct 22, 2012, 10:11 AM | Updated: 11:48 am
Union musicians have reached an agreement to extend their contract with the Seattle Symphony for three months in hopes of averting a strike. (AP image)
(AP image)
The show will go on, at least for the next three months, after the musicians’ union for the Seattle Symphony and Opera agree to temporarily extend its contract to try and hammer out a new deal.
The Seattle Symphony and Opera Players Organization had announced a strike authorization last week in response to a proposed 15 percent wage cut.
The union argued it’s made a number of concessions to help cut costs since 2005 and deserved a new compensation package to “uphold the artistic integrity of the Symphony and attract and retain the highest quality musicians,” said cellist David Sabee in the union’s news release.
The symphony faces an $11 million debt from last season, while the opera announced in June that it had a $1 million shortfall in its budget last year.
The contract extension runs through Jan. 31.
