Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians Take Pay Cuts

Management and musicians in the Philadelphia Orchestra have agreed to take pay cuts to help the struggling orchestra stabilize.

Through contract modifications, the orchestra says concessions by their musicians have helped them save $4.5 million, in addition to the $3.5 million they already gave up in the past two-and-a-half years.

The deal was reached over four weeks of negotiations with Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore that lasted through most of the month of February.

Despite the personal economic loss the musicians are suffering, they are putting on a brave face.

"The Musicians recognize the continuing difficulties presented by the economic environment and have responded by providing additional economic relief to the association," said cellist and Chairman of the Orchestra's Members' Committee John Koen in a statement.

The agreement, which was announced late last month between the Musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, included a number of measures.

Included in the agreements are a freeze in the weekly minimum salary for the duration of the 2010-11 season; a hiring freeze until the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement; and vacant positions will remain open.

Measures of the agreement also include a hold on the association's contribution to the American Federation of Musicians-Employers' Pension Fund at the current rate of 8.08 percent for the duration of the 2010-11 season.