On September 20, 2006, the musicians of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra ratified a 3-year agreement that runs from May 1, 2006 and continues through April 30, 2009. This was the first time musicians agreed to “play and talk”. In the past it had not been considered advantageous but existing circumstances caused the musicians to make an exception to normal practice. Negotiations were arduous and long and the musicians were becoming pessimistic about reaching an agreement without a work stoppage when newly installed President and CEO Richard Kiphart joined negotiations, bringing with him a new spirit of cooperation. Additionally, both sides were able to secure the services of Judge Abner Mikva as mediator. He proved, as he did during the Chicago Symphony negotiations, to be extraordinarily skillful in bridging serious disagreements and bringing the parties together. The perseverance of the union negotiating team eventually gained what the committee and Lyric Opera members believe to be a favorable agreement.
LENGTH OF SEASON: Remains at 26 weeks
| [2005-06] | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary | [$52,260] | $54,210 | $56.160 | $59,150 |
| Weekly Salary | [$2,010] | $2,085 | $2,160 | $2,275 |
| EMG | [0] | $1,575 | $1,600 | $2,625 |
EMG payments are in addition to base salary and are a guaranteed media payment for radio broadcast only (including local, national, international and satellite radio broadcasts, internet streaming, audio-video streaming sampler on Lyric Opera’s website, and other non-revenue producing uses; all uses having limitations) of 8 opera productions plus pension and minimum overscale. A one-year Interim Agreement is currently in force with final agreement of a Comprehensive Media Package still under negotiation.
HEALTH INSURANCE: [was: 100% paid by management] Becomes: 91.5% paid by management with musicians covering 8.5% of the premium
SICK LEAVE: [was: minimum of 10 days with a maximum of 33 days using unused days rolled over from previous seasons] Becomes: a minimum of 11 days with a maximum of 34 days.
[NEW] Paid maternity leave of up to 12 weeks over the term of employment has been added.
AUDITIONS: A Librarian Audition Procedure has been codified and detailed. (Please contact Orchestra Committee for details)
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Scheduling of three or more consecutive 7-hour days is prohibited.
- Saturday reading rehearsals are prohibited.
- There will be a mandatory 12 hours off between performance and rehearsal when there is no performance on the second day.
- Lyric will make good faith attempt to accommodate Orchestra Committee requests to avoid same day rehearsal and performance of demanding operas.
- E-mail notification must be sent to Members with notice of schedule changes (to be sent to last furnished e-mail address)
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Advance notice and a three-day response period are required before docking of pay.
- If the Librarian is absent from any service, the substitute with be either a staff assistant trained as a librarian or a CFM librarian subject to the contract.
- Monthly pension statements will be provided to the Orchestra Personnel Manager and will be made available to players upon request.
- The Music Director will consult with principal and section members before making tenure decisions.
Thanks to the negotiating team: William Cernota, Chair; Frank Babbitt, Matthew Comerford, Eric Millstein and Gregory Sarchet. The members of the Orchestra Members’ Committee would like to personally thank Local #10-208 President Gary Matts, Vice-President Terryl Jares, Secretary/Treasurer Spencer Aloisio, Assistant to the President Louise Thorson and extend special thanks to long-standing distinguished Legal Counsel Michael Greenfield.
This bulletin was prepared by ICSOM Secretary, Laura Ross with the assistance of the Chicago Lyric Opera ICSOM Delegate, Matthew Comerford.