music

The decision by the musicians to not negotiate will prove to be their mistake.

Certainly they are reporting their extra earnings to the unemployment agency so they lessen their burden on the rest of us.

@mets4cts, I'm sure for those who have filed for unemployment, just like all responsible people who end up having to file for unemployment, they're following the law and reporting income as they're supposed to. Thanks so much for the "helpful" comment though.

To sum up, the musicians had an average salary of $135,000. Their employer wants to cut salaries by 32% bringing the average salary down to $92,000. They have rejected the $92,000 offer but are unwilling to identify what they consider fair. In the mean time a man who has played in the orchestra for 37 years has had to really, really tighten his belt while he lives on a combination of unemployment compensation, union benefits, freelance work, and friendly donors.

So we subsidize them when they are working (legacy fund) and when they are voluntarily not working (unemployment benefits). Quite a nice racket.

At its heart an orchestra is a bunch of musicians playing together. As the article illustrates, these musicians obviously have the right to move to other orchestras and do freelance work, even here in the twin cities. How difficult would it be for them to put together their own orchestra?

No better time to start the Minnesota Orchestra Co-op. Musicians get together and form your own board, marketing, sales etc...I hear we have two nice halls here in the Twin Cities that are available. Your salary will be set by your peers. Its done all the time...get it done. Do away with "management".

Do not forget that they can give lessons, etc and still make a bundle. But, remember too much is never enough for the unions. Guess why government costs so much these days?

TURN DOWN $92,000 a year and then you won't say what you will accept?....good luck, your gonna need it.

I work in mfg/engineering and have been lad off 3 times in 30 years. On unemployment a total of 7 months through it all. My family has moved and I have changed industries in search of employment. Some might find this unfortunate, I have grown as an individual and been better off each time. My point, each of us can choose how we react to life, take control and move forward. Being in control is very satisfying.