The musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, members of the Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM), Local 10-208 of the American Federation of Musicians and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) have announce the ratification of a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, effective September 2026 through September 2029.

The new contract will see musicians’ base compensation increase by 4 percent in the first two years and 4.5 percent in the final year of the three-year agreement. Additionally, all insurance and retirement benefits will be retained, with an increase in the CSOA’s contribution to each musician’s defined contribution retirement account of 0.25 percent starting in the second year of the agreement.

In a statement , CSOA Board Chair Mary Louise Gorno said, “The Chicago Symphony Orchestra continues to stand as a global beacon for the arts, celebrated for its extraordinary artistry. The Trustees applaud the incredible talent our musicians share with audiences locallyand worldwide. We are deeply grateful to the negotiation teams for collaborating to finalize this agreement — one that ensures financial sustainability while preserving our standard of artistic excellence.”

said William Buchman, Chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Members’ Committee aded, “While this settlement required difficult compromises on both sides, it establishes a stable foundation that protects our musicians’ financial security and keeps live symphonic music on the Symphony Center stage. It ensures we can maintain our legacy of exceptional artistry in a time of uncertainty. Ultimately, this contract represents a shared investment in the long-term viability of our ensemble, keeping our musicians doing the work they love.”