DSO Principal Horn Karl Pituch (center) delivers his statement regarding the DSO agreement.
Photo: DSO
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and its musicians have announced the ratification of a new contract, after a series of only nine bargaining meetings.
The terms of the new contract fit within the constraints of the DSO’s 10-year plan, Blueprint: 2023, as the agreement was approved by the DSO Board of Directors Monday. This agreement between the DSO and members of Local 5 of the American Federation of Musicians will take effect on September 1, 2014 and will extend through August, 31 2017.
“I, along with my colleagues in the orchestra, am looking forward to three more years of serving our community,” said Karl Pituch, Chairman of the Orchestra Negotiating Committee and DSO Principal Horn. “The DSO could not maintain its status as a world class orchestra without the devotion of our patrons, friends and neighbors. We’d also like to thank the Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local 5, for its unwavering support of the DSO.”
The new agreement arrived shortly after a series of discussions regarding the DSO’s cultural mission: “inspiring individuals, families and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.” It also aims to reaffirm the orchestra’s title as “the most accessible orchestra on the planet” by focusing on more concerts at Orchestra Hall, as well as throughout Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
DSO agreement highlights:
– Contingent of 87 (Including 2 librarians)
– 36 week performance schedule (4 weeks vacation)
– Total orchestra compensation: inclusive salary and all benefits, which fit within the parameters of Blueprint:2023
– 5.3% increase of investment in DSO musicians from previous agreement
– Continued support for The Integrated Media Agreement (Which inspired the DSO to become the first orchestra in the world to offer free webcasts.)
– 4 special events services per year donated by DSO musicians
– Continued partnerships with DMC Children’s Hospital, senior living communities, schools and community venues
“The news of this contract agreement confirms the incredible progress being made by everyone at the DSO,” DSO Music Director Maestro Leonard Slatkin said. “I personally could not be any prouder of the entire organization: musicians, management and board. The challenge agead of us remain substantial, but with the unified artistic and fiscal goals clear and transparent, it is my belief that we are the leaders when it comes to an institutional path of stability and growth in the 21st century.”
Learn more about the DSO’s contract agreement here.