September 2, 1996

Shreveport Musicians to Vote on Playing Season Opener


Musicians of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra will meet on Tuesday evening to vote on whether to strike or work-and-talk for the opening concerts of the 1996-97 season scheduled for this weekend. The meeting will take place at 7: 30 p.m. at the union hall of Local 116 of the American Federation of Musicians.

As of Monday afternoon, Labor Day, the management of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra had not made any new contract proposals to the musicians' union. On Thursday, August 29th, the musicians turned down the Symphony's contract proposal.

The management has requested assistance of a federal mediator in the contract dispute, however no union negotiator has yet been contacted by a mediator . In the meantime, the Symphony has asked the musicians to consider whether to work and talk.

A "work and talk" agreement means that both sides of the labor dispute resolve to work by the terms of the expired contract and continue to negotiate contract issues. They may continue to negotiate until such time as the union calls a strike, the management decides to lock out the musicians and discontinue employment, or a settlement is reached.

According to the musicians' press spokesperson, Andrew Brandt, "This is a very serious situation. Even though the musicians have turned down management's wage proposal, the Symphony has not presented us with any further proposals. We have no objection to meeting with a mediator, but until such time as the orchestra's management comes forward with a better wage and benefits package, such a meeting will probably be fruitless.

"The decision is up to the musicians. If they vote to work and talk, we will play this weekend's concerts. If they vote to strike, we will still have most of the day Wednesday to try to hammer out an agreement before the Symphony's first rehearsal, at 7:30 p.m."


OPUS
Orchestra Players United of Shreveport
Affiliated with
Shreveport Federation of Musicians
Local 116, American Federation of Musicians
Shreveport, Louisiana


Press Spokesperson:
Andrew Brandt

E-mail: abrandt@afm.org


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