The musicians of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA).

The charge, which was filed on Tuesday Oct. 13 by American Federation of Musicians Local 101-473, accuses management of refusing to bargain in good faith and of unilaterally cutting musicians’ guaranteed services while contract negotiations are still underway.

The musicians said in a statement from American Federation of Musicians Local 101-473, “We have spent months at the table trying to reach a fair agreement with people who turned out to have no power to offer one. Management has stalled and failed to provide all the information we’ve requested. That is why we have asked the federal government to step in. The musicians of this orchestra want a deal, and we have shown up ready to make one at every session. DPAA leadership needs to come to the table with the authority and the good faith the law requires.”

The charges state that DPAA has sent negotiators to the bargaining table who lack the authority to respond to the musicians’ proposals or enter into an agreement and also noted that DPAA has withheld information the union requested as far back as April. Additionally, it alleges that DPAA went further and imposed a cut to guaranteed services directly in musicians’ individual contracts.

The musicians of the Dayton Philharmonic have been working without a contract since their agreement with DPAA expired on August 31 and recently authorized a strike.

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