Cincinnati Ratifies 3-Year Agreement

On October 3, 2004, the musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony ratified a three-year agreement that is retroactive to September 6, 2004 and continues through September 9, 2007. These difficult negotiations led to a concessionary settlement due to the current financial climate.

LENGTH OF SEASON: 53 weeks in 2004-05 season; 52 weeks in 2005-07 seasons

WAGES: [2003-04] 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Annual Salary‡ [$89,050] $91,425* $89,700 $91,900
Weekly Salary‡ [$1,700/$1,725]
9-3-03/3-8-04
$1,725* $1,725 $1,750/$1,800
9-11-06/5-7-07
Percent Increase 0% 2%/1.96%
9-11-05/3-11-06
.72%/5.1%
9-11-06/3-11-07
‡includes EMG; * 53 weeks in 2004-05

EMG: $70 per week EMG is included in salary above for a total of $3,710 in 2004-05 and $3,640 in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

VACATION: Increased from 9 to 10 weeks per season.

INSURANCE:

Health: Policy has been changed from a choice of HMO/PPO to HMO only and covers 100% of single, spouse, dependent and domestic partner premiums. While changing to an HMO presented significant savings, co-pays were increased from $10 to $25. Should premiums increase more than 10% per year, discussions will occur to identify ways to lower premium costs without re-opening the CBA.

TRAVEL: Minor changes were made to foreign touring provisions including “night relief” which states that there can be no less than 9 hours between return to the hotel and next day departure.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Thanks to the negotiating team: Paul Frankenfeld, Chair; Bill Platt, Stacey Wooley and Sylvia Mitchell. Thanks also to Local #1 President Eugene Frey and Attorney Barbara Jaccoma.

This bulletin was prepared by ICSOM Secretary, Laura Ross with the assistance of the Cincinnati Symphony ICSOM Delegate, Martin James.