FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 11, 1996
Contact: Tim McFadden
918-298-1012, Fax: 918-584-0941
Tulsa,OK-Contract talks between the Tulsa Philharmonic's musicians and management broke off Friday in a dispute over the economic terms of a proposed two-year deal.
Negotiations on a contract for the current season began in August. "We want to stress that we are not at an impasse," said Tim McFadden, spokesman for the musicians. "All that separates us is a total of $12,500 for the entire orchestra--NOT PER MUSICIAN, spread over a two-year contract."
"The musicians do not want to jeopardize the financial stability of the Philharmonic," McFadden said. "What we are asking for is not excessive."
The Philharmonic musicians' salaries are among the lowest in the nation for musicians in orchestras classified by the American Symphony Orchestra League as regional.
In the early 1990s, the Philharmonic experienced a loss of ticket revenue and corporate support, and, in response to those losses, the musicians agreed to freeze 1993 wages at 1992 levels. In March of 1994, Philharmonic management forced the musicians to accept an immediate and temporary wage reduction exceeding 20% or face the complete dissolution of the orchestra through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The musicians' commitment to keeping a full-time professional orchestra in the city of Tulsa led them to agree reluctantly to the temporary wage reduction.
Today, the Tulsa Philharmonic is as financially healthy as it has ever been. It has a cash cushion exceeding $350,000. Ticket sales for the current season are up 25% over last year's sales, and corporate support has more than doubled. The Philharmonic's new management has effected a remarkable turnaround in the past two years.
The Philharmonic's proposed economic package falls $12,500 short of fully restoring the musicians' pay to 1992 levels. The musicians are asking for the extra $12,500--an increase of just $6250 per year in the Philharmonic's proposed budget.
The musicians are not asking to be repaid for the sacrifices we made in the 1994 salary cuts. The musicians are not asking for an adjustment for the 15% cost-of-living increase Tulsa has experienced since 1992. They are simply asking for a $12,500 increase in management's salary package.
In exchange for the $12,500, the musicians offered scheduling concessions that would have allowed the Philharmonic the flexibility to boost its income.
The musicians are committed to continuing to perform for the Tulsa community. They encourage the public to attend concerts and to support the Tulsa Philharmonic.
And they ask for the public's help. Leaflets distributed at the October 12 concert urge the public to call or write the Philharmonic office to express appreciation for the musicians' sacrifices and to tell management "it is time to treat the musicians fairly and with respect."
Prepared by the negotiating committee for the Musicians of the Tulsa Philharmonic, Bruce Hunter, Chairman. The Musicians are represented by AFM-SSD Negotiator, Chrisopher Durham, Local 94, AFM, Bruce Schultz, President, Tammy Kirk, Secretary.
-end-
Tammy Kirk, Secretary,
Local 94, American Federation of Musicians
Tulsa, OK
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