Members of the Canadian Federation of Musicians (Local 571, Halifax, NS) and their employer, Symphony Nova Scotia, have reached an agreement that will end an 11 month negotiation process. A new collective bargaining agreement is expected to be signed by the two parties and finalized in the coming days.
The agreement between the Musicians and the Administration will span two years and create salary increases of 3.1% in the 2012-2013 season and 3.45% next season. This will produce an annual salary of $30,000 for a section musician (roughly half the orchestra are paid at the section rate) by the fall of 2013.
The Administration has also agreed, in principle, to add a third year to the contract in the event they are able to produce an additional 3% increase to the musiciansʼ salaries. If the Administration is unable to secure the additional funds the agreement will expire August 31, 2014.
The Administration was unable to produce the additional work weeks and increase in pension and health plan contributions that the musicians were seeking. Other non-monetary arrangements were agreed to that will help bring the musicians working conditions in-line with many other professional orchestras in Canada.
“In spite of the uncertainty and unsettled nature of playing without a collective agreement since September 2012, it is very gratifying to have a deal in place. The Musicians showed great solidarity in striving for common goals - respect for the job we do and better compensation for the hard work it takes to perform week in and week out.”, said violinist, Janet Dunsworth.
Oboist and negotiation team member, Brian James, stated “During this long process, the musiciansʼ spirits have been sustained by the efforts and many wonderful letters of encouragement and support from our audiences and friends. This negotiation was a long and distracting one for the musicians but crucial for the health of the organization. We are excited to once again focus on what is most important to us - bringing this beautiful and unique art form to the stages of Nova Scotia.”
Trumpet player and team member, Curtis Dietz, said, “We are happy the board has given us the commitment that our salaries must be improved and that the chronic underfunding by the city will be addressed. We are encouraged by the tremendous amount of support we have received from the public during our labor dispute as well as from our brothers and sisters in the Musiciansʼ Union and all the other labor unions in the province.”
“Much work and co-operation between the Musicians and the Management/ Board took place to achieve this agreement. We hope this spirit of cooperation will continue to ensure that SNS musicians reach their goal of a living wage, for it has not been achieved yet.” said, violinist, Kirsty Money.
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