Tensions have risen to a crescendo in the ongoing negotiations between the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and its union musicians. Each side accuses the other of conflicts of interest.
The musicians, members of the Connecticut Valley Federation of Musicians, Local 400 of the American Federation of Musicians, fired its latest salvo by accusing David Fay, the symphony’s CEO, of a conflict of interest because he is also head of The Bushnell, the HSO’s primary home and management services contractor.
The union said in a statement, “How can a CEO of two non-profits in the same community serve two masters? The inherent conflict of interest in this shared CEO arrangement … is unmistakable. When seeking donations from shared supporters, where does the allegiance lie?”
HSO Board Chairman Jeff Verney was quick to defend his CEO and criticize the musicians. “When the musician members of the board voted against [future plans], it became clear that the musicians have an inherent conflict of interest when it comes to shaping an orchestra that is fiscally sound and whose work is properly sized within the means of the greater Hartford marketplace,” Verney said in a statement.
The musicians union, which represents approximately 600 professional musicians in central Connecticut, has been in contract negotiations with the HSO since January. It said in its statement that the lack of fundraising is the principal reason for the HSO’s long-standing financial problems.
It also questioned why Fay hasn’t booked more revenue producing performances for the musicians. The union said in its statement that in-school performances were down 62 percent during the 2014-15 season. It said that led to a budget deficit of $400,000.
Verney said a strategic framework passed in June outlines a financially secure future for the symphony in part because of the fiscal management shown by Fay and The Bushnell. “All that remains to realizing our new strategic framework is finalizing the current contract negotiations,” he said.
In November, the management of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra settled an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. It was cited for failing and refusing to bargain in good faith.
The settlement allows the symphony’s musicians to know for certain when and how often they will be expected to perform as required in the contract. Additional unfair labor practice complaints are pending, the union said in November. However, the union said its membership is willing to meet to reach a settlement on the remaining contract issues.
