The Cleveland Orchestra’s musicians have ratified a new three-year contract.

The news puts an end to a strike that was set to put the ensemble’s upcoming European tour at risk.

The musicians and the organization announced the agreement on Sunday with the new deal including annual raises of 5 percent (a larger increase than recent settlements at other major American orchestras) but well short of the 25 percent management said the union had originally sought. This signifies that the current salary of $165,516 will increase to $191,620 over the term of the contract. Musicians also agreed to transition to a high-deductible HSA-qualified health plan. Finally, the current hiring practice, which allows musicians to have active participation and voice throughout the process, has been codified.

Negotiations began in July after the musicians’ previous contract expired Aug. 30. A short extension to Sept. 23 came with a unanimous strike authorization vote, and the sides remained “far apart” by the players’ own account when the walkout began following a Sept. 24 performance. Two concerts thereafter were canceled, and musicians picketed and staged a free outdoor performance over the weekend before the deal was reached.

The dispute centered in part on how Cleveland’s compensation compares with the other “Big Five” American orchestras in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, three of which recently signed contracts carrying base salaries above $200,000 USD and raises of four to 4.5 percent. Music director Franz Welser Möst, in his 25th and final season with the orchestra, did not take part in the labor dispute.

This year’s walkout was the ensemble’s first lasting more than a day since 1980, and its first strike since a one day work stoppage in 2010, when the orchestra was facing a 2 million dollar deficit.

In a release Sunday, orchestra CEO André Gremillet said, “While I believe this strike was unnecessary, I want to acknowledge the union’s willingness to engage constructively in the bargaining process over the past two days. The outcome at the table was driven by good faith negotiation, not by the work stoppage.”