Pittsburgh Symphony strike is over
Three Rivers Arts Festival
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has ended its strike.
Crescent Township native Lou Christie will headline the Rock N' Rolldies Showcase at Heinz Hall on Dec. 14. Most Heinz Hall concerts the past two months have been canceled or moved due to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra strike, which has ended, according to a Wednesday announcement. Christie, who topped the charts with "Lightnin' Strikes," was enshrined in 2015 to the Pittsburgh Rock 'n' Roll Legends.
Classical music fans and Heinz Hall concertgoers have something extra to be thankful for Thursday, as musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have ended their nearly two-month strike.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the American Federation of Musicians Local 60-471 agreed to a five-year contract that runs through Sept. 5, 2021.
On Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, as a special “thank you” to the community for its patience, PSO Music Director Manfred Honeck will conduct the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in two free Heinz Hall performances underwritten by BNY Mellon. Tickets for these “The Music Has Returned!” concerts must be reserved in advance by calling the PSO box office at 412-392-4900.
The new contract for musicians calls for a 10.5 percent salary decrease in the first year; however, a contribution from an anonymous donor provides for additional compensation that brings the actual wage cut to 7.5 percent. There is a salary freeze in the second year; a 3.3 percent increase in the third year; a 2 percent increase in the fourth year; and restoration to the 2016 base salary of approximately $107,000 in the fifth year of the deal.
The new deal retains an orchestra of 99 musicians and two librarians, though three currently vacant orchestral positions will remain unfilled for the next five years.
The musicians’ union had walked off the job Sept. 30 after unanimously rejecting management’s calls for 15 percent pay cuts, pension freezes and a workforce reduction.
Symphony management said those cuts were needed for the orchestra’s long-term survival, citing a projected deficit of $20 million over the next five years — a figure the union disputed.
Upon learning the news of the newly ratified contract, Honeck expressed his gratitude to the orchestra, management and symphony board.
“It was considerably painful to be separated from our great orchestra, the audience and our wonderful city of Pittsburgh,” Honeck said. “We will continue to maintain the highest quality and I am looking forward to now making music for our loyal audiences in Heinz Hall and beyond.”
Musicians went on strike after seven months of failed negotiations that included federal mediation. The strike forced the cancellation of almost two full months worth of classical and pops symphony concerts, as well as a community concert coinciding with Pittsburgh’s Nov. 18 holiday light-up festivities.
Other concert casualties included the symphony’s fusion show of Bartok and Bjork, a Beatles-themed concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, and a Dec. 5 performance with Celtic Woman.
Rock star Elvis Costello and comedian Lewis Black canceled their November concerts at Heinz Hall to show solidarity with the striking musicians, while the prog-rock band Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman moved its show to the Byham Theater.
Carol Burnett didn’t let the strike stop her Oct. 29 Heinz Hall show.
Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO of the symphony, said in a press release that management and Board of Trustees of the PSO are unwavering in their commitment to the orchestra’s artistic mission of excellence.
“We asked the musicians to be a partner in the solution to the exceptionally difficult financial position we are working to correct and we are grateful for their sacrifice,” Tourangeau said. “They have, indeed, come together with us in a powerful way to help position the Pittsburgh Symphony’s future.
“At the same time,” Tourangeau continued, “we recognize that there is a tremendous amount of work ahead for all of us — and we will be depending on the ongoing passion and generosity of the Pittsburgh community to help us as we continue to implement our five-year strategic plan to help ensure long-term stability for the Pittsburgh Symphony.”
PSO bass player Micah Howard, chair of the PSO committee, said via press release, “These were painful and substantial concessions. But we agreed to work with management to face our financial challenges head on. Both parties came together in the spirit of true compromise, to ensure that we can resume performing at Heinz Hall.”
With the strike now over, the next scheduled shows after the free comeback concerts are the Highmark Holiday Pops performances, Dec. 9 to 18, which includes a Dec. 15 date at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle. The Dec. 14 “Holiday Rock and Rolldies” concert starring Moon High School graduate and Billboard chart-topper Lou Christie (“Lightnin’ Strikes”) also will take place as planned. For general information regarding other upcoming concerts, ticket holders may call the box office. In addition, pittsburghsymphony.org will have updates for patrons as the concert season resumes.
News of the strike’s termination was music to the ears of local Heinz Hall concert-goers like Orion Czarnecki, a drummer and Beaver Falls native who took to Facebook to applaud the symphony’s determination and the support of the public.
“I’m proud to be part of a city with a world-class orchestra. I respect the Musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for honoring their commitment, talent, and reputation throughout the duration of the strike,” Czarnecki said. “It’s a shame any pay cut was on the table considering recent record-breaking investment and fundraising.
“Moreover, I’m blown away at the outreach, public events, and goodwill shown to the city during the strike by these musicians,” Czarnecki said. “Say thanks with a ticket or 30 in 2017.”