Editor’s note: The following statement was proposed and adopted at the Governing Board’s midwinter meeting in Chicago, IL in March 2025.
The ICSOM Governing Board believes that individually negotiated agreements do not serve the best interests of our orchestras and should be phased out in favor of entirely collectively negotiated agreements.
Individually negotiated agreements undermine the principles of fairness, equity, and collective representation that are fundamental to the strength and stability of our orchestras. These agreements:
- Lead to both overcompensation and undercompensation, eroding trust and morale within the ensemble.
- Introduce inconsistent benefits and privileges that impose unfair working conditions on other musicians.
- Are susceptible to bias, whether implicit or explicit, making them vulnerable to age, race, and gender discrimination in hiring, salary, and workplace treatment.
- Weaken the collective voice of musicians, excluding the full bargaining unit from participating in the determination of wages, benefits, and conditions that impact all members of the orchestra.
For these reasons, the ICSOM Governing Board believes that all employment terms for all members of the bargaining unit should be subject to transparent, collectively negotiated agreements that ensure fairness, consistency, and inclusivity for all members. As each member orchestra considers the transition away from individually negotiated agreements, it must carefully evaluate its own circumstances and determine the appropriate steps toward this goal.
We urge our orchestras to engage in open and proactive discussions about this transition and to work toward employment agreements that reflect the collective strength and unity of our profession.
