Musicians’ Strike Settlement

Musicians’ Strike Settlement
Image by Peter Clark via Flickr Creative Commons

By Larry Gardner

On Oct. 24, Fresno Grand Opera (FGO) management and the musicians’ negotiating committee for the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 12 came to a tentative agreement. The parties agreed to renew and extend the previous contract to the current season, until Aug. 31, 2013. The tentative agreement was overwhelmingly ratified later that same day by a secret ballot vote of the musicians.

The FGO management called the federal mediator around the second week of October to offer to extend the old contract.

Our three main issues were applicability (what kind of gigs does the contract apply to), the roster (management wanted to eliminate and demote musicians off the roster) and notice (management was hiring with very late notice). By renewing the former contract, the musicians maintained the applicability of the agreement for working with the FGO as well as the roster of musicians. In addition, we were given the artistic needs and draft schedules for the first two performances: Kristin Chenoweth concert (Nov. 9) and Puccini’s La Rondine (Jan. 11 and 13, 2013).

We appreciate our many supporters, including those of you who read the Community Alliance. We are happy to be working again. Please support our community with your presence at events of the FGO and other local arts organizations.

*****

Larry Gardner is president the American Federation of Musicians Local 12.

Author

  • Community Alliance

    The Community Alliance is a monthly newspaper that has been published in Fresno, California, since 1996. The purpose of the newspaper is to help build a progressive movement for social and economic justice.

    View all posts
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x