Cleveland Orchestra Musicians Take Strike Action
By Afton Markay(Photo credit: Mastroianni)
The Cleveland Orchestra musicians have announced that they are taking strike action.
Since July, the musicians’ union and the Cleveland Orchestra management have been in negotiation over a new contract. Earlier this month, the musicians announced their unanimous vote to authorize a strike as their current contract extension is set to expire on Sept. 23. The musicians are calling on management for competitive wages and improved working conditions.
A union statement read, “The musicians say they are seeking three major things: safer work rules to help prevent injuries such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, a meaningful role in the audition and hiring process, and competitive compensation that keeps pace with inflation and other top orchestras.”
At a press conference, violinist and chair of the negotiating committee Elayna Duitman stated, “Today, the Cleveland Orchestra is in danger of losing its status as a ‘Big Five’ orchestra thanks to years of falling behind our peer orchestras in terms of pay and benefits.” Duitman added, “We’ve had a lot of negotiating sessions and very, very little movement or acknowledgment of what we’ve been asking for.”
The Cleveland Orchestra put out a statement saying, “We continue to negotiate in good faith as evidenced by the extension through September 23 agreed by both sides on September 23. We do not comment on ongoing negotiations, and we do not negotiate in the media.”
This is the first time since 2010 that the Cleveland Orchestra musicians have gone on strike.
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