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Date: 2/8/2023
SPRINGFIELD – The attorney representing the musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) explained to Reminder Publishing that unless an ongoing labor dispute is settled through negotiations there will be a trial.
Harvey S. Mars, who serves as counsel and lead negotiator for Local 171 for almost three years during these negotiations, emphasized the musicians are not on strike and are playing in a series of concerts this season. “They are waiting for the SSO to renegotiate, they are open to negotiations,” he said.
He made his statement in light of a second complaint against the SSO by the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB). In a written statement he explained, “Although it is welcome news that the NLRB has issued a second complaint, the musicians would rather that the SSO’s resources be spent on producing concerts than paying for endless litigation. The endgame here is not winning a lawsuit. It is bilaterally negotiating a good contract which both parties can honor, a contract which preserves live symphonic music for Springfield and the Pioneer Valley.”
According to a written statement from the musician’s union, “A trial date has been scheduled for May 9, 2023, in Boston. The NLRB found this time that the SSO had compounded its earlier violations by unilaterally breaking off contract negotiations on the false premise that there was no more room to negotiate. The SSO then improperly imposed employment terms upon its musicians.”
The statement continued, “One year ago, the NLRB announced a monetary settlement of $276,406 to resolve a complaint against the SSO for violating federal labor law. The SSO admitted that it had breached the terms of its 2017-2020 contract with SSO musicians, requiring that individual service contracts for the 2021-2022 concert season be issued to the musicians in June 2021. The SSO paid this financial remedy to the 71 musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to compensate them for eight concerts that were not produced by the SSO in 2021-2022. To complete the settlement, the SSO agreed to produce two concerts in April and May 2022, and both parties returned to the negotiating table – until the SSO broke off talks in early June 2022. Absent a successor agreement, in accordance with federal law, the terms of the expired contract remain in force.”
Musician Beth Welty said, “The musicians have been willing to negotiate, and absolutely want to return to the bargaining table. We want a viable, long-term, comprehensive agreement, so that the Springfield Symphony Orchestra can thrive in the years ahead. This includes not only a three-year agreement, but also more musician representation and diversity on the board, a permanent executive director, and a music director. In the meantime, we urge music lovers in the region to support SSO musicians by attending SSO concerts.”
Paul Lambert, the president and CEO of the SSO, told Reminder Publishing, “In June [2022] the SSO reached an impasse in negotiations. The musicians question the validity of that impasse.” He added there is the potential for a hearing about the conflict in May.
He stressed the SSO is still producing “wonderful” musical events. Lambert noted the next concert will present an evening of classic jazz in time for Mardi Gras featuring guest conductor Byron Stripling. There will be additional themed performances on March 11, April 15 and May 13.