The Hartford Symphony board of directors will vote on a new contract tonight that includes $450,000 in concessions from the American Federation of Musicians Local 400, which represents orchestra members.
The union voted over the weekend to accept the symphony’s offer of reduced wages.
Officials of the 75-member union could not be reached for comment. An HSO spokesperson praised the union vote and said the symphony would have no additional comment until after the board’s vote.
In its offer, the symphony sought approximately $450,000 in annual concessions from the union, primarily by a reduction in the yearly service guarantees to the musicians. The “service guarantee” is the minimum number of services (mainly rehearsals and performances) each musician is guaranteed, and compensated for, each season.
The symphony said with this final proposal it offers to make up an additional $700,000 shortfall through a combination of general and administrative expense reductions and interim fundraising.
