After a seven-week-long strike, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Musicians union have reached an agreement on a new five-year contract.
According to a press release, the Orchestra voted to ratify the new agreement on Saturday evening after negotiations spearheaded by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel yielded results on both sides.
“The five-year agreement creates long-term stability for the organization and offers a comprehensive compensation package for the musicians of the Orchestra, including improvements in working conditions, as well as a wage increase of 14 percent over five years,” the CSOA said in a statement.
Mayor Emanuel, who offered up his services to help reach the new contract this week, called the pact “fair” and praised both sides for their willingness to finally reach a deal.
“This is a fair deal for the Symphony and its musicians, and a great deal for the future of one of our city’s greatest cultural institutions,” the mayor said.
In a statement of their own on Saturday afternoon, the musicians’ union “declared victory” in the talks, saying that their efforts to pursue a “secure retirement” paid off.
“We are victorious in our efforts by protecting and maintaining our secure retirement and gaining lost ground on our annual salaries,” Chair of the Musicians Negotiating Committee and a bassist in the orchestra, said. “Thanks to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s involvement, the musicians are looking forward to at least performing once again at Symphony Center before the world’s best audience.”
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Orchestra concerts will resume next week, according to a press release issued by the symphony.
