The Hartford Symphony Orchestra announced it has reached a new four-year contract with its unionized musicians.
The collective bargaining agreement was hatched with the musicians represented by the American Federation of Musicians Local 400. It will be applied retroactively from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2027, HSO said.
Highlights of the new agreement include a 20% increase in musician wages, enhanced seniority payments, and other compensation increases, HSO said.
It also calls for the creation of a musician fellowship program to provide performance and community engagement opportunities to young professional orchestra musicians of color; investment in the artistic development of the orchestra; and greater flexibility in producing education and community engagement programs.
“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached with the American Federation of Musicians,” said HSO President and CEO Steve Collins. “Both teams worked tirelessly to find solutions to challenges and reach compromises where needed, all in the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration. We look forward to continuing the celebration of the HSO’s 80th season!”
“We are very pleased to have ratified an agreement that promises reasonable increases in pay and security in a number of important working conditions,” said AFM Local 400 President Joe Messina and orchestra committee co-chair Steve Wade.
