The Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra leadership, and AFM have released statements regarding contract negotiations with its musicians.

In a statement by the Kennedy Center and the NSO, they said, “the Kennedy Center and NSO Leadership have offered a generous and fiscally responsible, new four-year contract to the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), AFM Local 161-710. The NSO musicians play a vital role in the artistic success of the Kennedy Center and positively impact our communities. Our enormous respect for their craft and artistic contributions are reflected in both their compensation and in the spirit in which the Center has approached these negotiations. The compensation package offered to the musicians would increase wages by 12% over a four-year growth contract through 2028. The package also includes significantly expanded healthcare options at reduced costs for the musicians, the addition of paid parental leave, updates to audition and tenure processes, and funding of a third full-time librarian position requested by the musicians.”

It continued, “The 12 percent wage increase would bring the minimum NSO base salary to $178,840, and the average for most musicians to $209,325. The Kennedy Center was proud to have recently reached a successful negotiation with a comparable wage increase with the other two orchestras operating at the Center—Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and Washington National Opera Orchestra.”

However, “AFM Local 161-710 has taken a vote to authorize a strike and requested a permit to publicly demonstrate, indicating they may choose to go on strike despite the offer of a generous growth contract made by the Center and NSO leadership.”

The leadership added, “The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) operates as an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of the Washington, D.C. area. The total programmatic and operational cost for the NSO annually is approximately $50-60 million, encompassing both direct and indirect expenses. Notably, the Kennedy Center plays a vital role in supporting the orchestra, covering more than half of these expenses. The nature of this affiliation not only ensures the NSO’s sustainability but also enhances its ability to deliver exceptional musical performances and educational engagement to the community.”

According to the leadership, the musicians are demanding a 25 percent wage increase which they note is not financially viable. The statement concludes by noting, “the Center remains hopeful that both parties can resume good-faith negotiations as soon as possible towards a fair contract that will enable the institution to shape its future in a way that is both responsibly and economically sustainable. At this time, NSO concerts and events will proceed as scheduled. Patrons will be advised immediately should this change.”

According to AFM Local 161-710, countered by noting, “The musicians of the National Orchestra have unanimously voted to authorize a strike against their employer, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Union and the Kennedy Center have been in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement since May but remain far apart on wages and other material issues. The prior agreement expired in September. The Musicians going on strike this week would affect three scheduled concerts featuring Sara Bareilles and this Saturday’s Season opening Gala concert.”

The statement added, “The NSO has cemented its reputation as one of the premier orchestras in the United States…Yet, the base wages of NSO musicians have declined by roughly 15 percent since the beginning of their  last collective bargaining agreement more than five years ago.”

The statement also commented on other orchestras noting the that New York Philharmonic agreed to an increase in its musician’s salaries by an average of 11 percent per year over three years and the Boston Symphony agreed to similar increases. AFM also noted that the musicians of the NSO are making less than the LA, New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco Orchestras.

“The pay disparity combined with the high cost of living in the D.C. area make it harder for the NSO to attract and retain talent commensurate with the reputation of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center itself as a premier performance venue. The union has proposed reasonable wage increases averaging 6.25 percent per year over the next four years.”

The statement concluded by noting that the Kennedy Center has not been constructive in its engagements and “continues past practices which account for the unanimity of the musicians’ strike vote and their solidarity.”