Orchestra, musicians reach labor deal

“We look forward to working together to build our base of support and continue our tradition of excellence.”

Jeffrey Rathbun

Musicians’ Committee chairman

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Orchestra and the union representing its musicians have tentatively agreed on a new labor deal, ending a brief strike.

Howard Landau, a spokesman for the musicians, says the agreement was reached early Tuesday.

The Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4 of the American Federation of Musicians, went on strike for the first time in 30 years Sunday over a pay impasse. The contract expired at the end of August.

The new pact, a three-year deal, runs through Sept. 2, 2012.

The agreement calls for a two-year wage freeze through August 2011, followed by semi-annual wage increases of 3 percent and 2 percent in the subsequent year. In addition, the musicians will donate up to 10 services, which will provide cost relief and additional revenue for the Musical Arts Association. Musicians will increase their medical premium contribution beginning in July 2011.

The agreement was ratified by the musicians Tuesday afternoon at Severance Hall. It brought an end to a strike by the union representing the musicians, Local 4 of the American Federation of Musicians, which began at midnight Monday. The short strike caused the postponement of a scheduled residency by the Orchestra at Indiana University. The Orchestra’s Miami Residency performances will proceed as scheduled.

The agreement was announced at a press conference by the Musicians’ Committee chairman, Jeffrey Rathbun, and the Orchestra’s executive director, Gary Hanson.

“We are very happy that management has heard our message and agreed not to further erode our base compensation allowing us to stay as competitive as possible with the marketplace,” said Rathbun. “We look forward to working together to build our base of support and continue our tradition of excellence.”

Hanson said, “Both sides worked effectively through a difficult process to reach an unprecedented agreement that will do much to help the association’s finances going forward. I am very grateful for the musicians’ passion and abiding concern for the orchestra’s artistic excellence.”