What the 2 sides are proposing
Lawrence B. Johnson / Special to The Detroit News
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has presented the musicians' union with two offers for a three-year contract. The current offer is designated Proposal A.
If an agreement cannot be negotiated based on Proposal A by Aug. 28, one day before the musicians' contract expires, DSO management has informed the union Proposal B will become the offer of record.
At that point, the musicians would need to agree to the terms of Proposal B or, if management declines to negotiate further, strike.
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Proposal A provides, among other things:
• Wage reduction from $104,650 to $74,880 the first year, rising to $79,950 in the third year.
• Thirteen weeks layoff in the first and second years, 11 layoff weeks in the third year.
• Reduction from the current contract provision of 96 full-time musicians to 82 the first year, then 84 in the second and third years. The actual number of musicians now on the payroll is 84. The remaining positions are vacant.
• Pension freeze.
• Maximum of three weeks of services other than playing an instrument.
Proposal B:
• Wage reduction to $70,200 in the first year, rising to $73,800 in the third year. A different salary for new members of the orchestra, starting at $63,000.
• Sixteen layoff weeks in all three years.
• Eighty-five full-time musicians in all three years.
• Pension freeze.
• Optional weeks of services other than playing an instrument.
Musicians' union offer:
• Wages of $82,000 in the first year, rising to $96,600 in the third year.
• Eleven weeks layoff the first year, 8 weeks the second year, 6 weeks the third.
• Eighty-two musicians the first year, 85 the second year, 88 the third year.
• All members of the orchestra included in an active pension plan.
• Equal financial sacrifices by upper management.
• Musicians' review of management performance.