September 3, 1996:
Shreveport Musicians Agree to Federal Mediation
A statement by OPUS press spokesperson, Andrew Brandt:
Out of respect for our new music director, Dennis Simons, the musicians
of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra voted to play this weekend's concerts.
We are excited to be working with Maestro Simons and feel we are on the
path to having the best season this orchestra has ever performed.
We also agreed to enter a work and talk period and to meet with a federal
mediator to try to continue to hammer out an agreement. As our management
requested, this agreement allows for either side to end the work and talk
with 24-hour notice. We did not agree, however, to a press blackout.
We have had a wage freeze since Sept. of 1993. The Symphony's finances have
improved substantially during that period, particularly as a result of more
income from a larger number of concerts both in Shreveport and out-of-town.
We are working harder, more efficiently, and playing better concerts than
ever before. It is time for the symphony to reward these efforts with increased
wages AND benefits.
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