(Credit: Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Facebook Page)

A war of words erupted between Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Board President Bill Riley and the Orchestra Committee negotiating on behalf of the musicians.

“The movement to furlough us was a strong-arm tactic to force us to accept a drastic pay cut that would have made many musicians dependent on government assistance. Musicians on salary would have been cut from $31,500 to $18,000 annually after health insurance costs,” said committee member Sam Chen in a press release.

In response, KSO Board President Bill Riley said that he regrets that the union has turned down the KSO’s most recent offer to keep the musicians on payroll and continue to bring music to Knoxville.

“Facing unprecedented financial challenges, we offered the union 75 percent of the full salaries musicians received last year, for the duration of a modified 35-week season. Normal healthcare and pension benefits were included. This compromise was offered several weeks prior to the announcement of furloughs and rejected,” Riley said.

“The most recent offer also included increased days of paid personal leave, unlimited unpaid leave and leave of absences granted outside the normal contract guidelines. This offer was rejected too,” clarified Riley.

The Orchestra Committee has stated that if the parties cannot come to terms, the matter will end up in arbitration.