Boston Symphony Musicians Authorize First Strike Ever
Boston Symphony Musicians Authorize First Strike Ever
The News
Musicians at the Boston Symphony Orchestra have authorized the first strike in the ensemble's 145-year history, their union announced Saturday, as their contract runs out.
The Boston Musicians' Association issued its statement ahead of the expiration of the union's three-year contract at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
The union says management has not agreed to the musicians' proposal to bring in a mediator.
Timeline
The BSO decided to force out music director Andris Nelsons next summer after 13 seasons, a move that has strained relations between the orchestra and management since.
The Boston Musicians' Association authorizes a strike, the first in the orchestra's 145 years.
The union's three-year contract expires.
The orchestra's season is scheduled to open.
Reactions
The union tied the breakdown directly to the decision to push out Nelsons. "In spite of the turmoil of the last six months caused by BSO's leadership decision to terminate the orchestra's musical director, Andris Nelsons, they have failed to agree to a collective bargaining agreement that would begin to restore the trust that they have destroyed and offer a fair contract to the musicians who are at the heart and soul of the BSO," the Boston Musicians' Association said in a statement.
BSO chief executive Chad Smith struck a conciliatory tone. "We respect the musicians' right to take this step as part of the negotiating process," Smith said in a statement. "Our focus remains on the negotiations and the ongoing constructive conversations. We are committed to reaching an agreement with competitive pay and benefits that enhances collaboration with the players."
What's Next
The immediate deadline is Sunday night, when the current contract lapses. A strike authorization is not a strike — it gives union leaders the power to call one, and negotiations continue in the meantime.
The next hard date on the calendar is Sept. 17, the scheduled opening of the orchestra's season.
More
Nelsons is set to leave next summer after 13 seasons at the podium. The union's statement makes clear the musicians see that decision, made in March, as the root of the six months of turmoil that led to Saturday's vote — and management's refusal of a mediator as the reason talks have not closed.
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