From TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Board of Trustees of the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), the umbrella organization for the Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony, ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with orchestra musicians at its year-end Board meeting on Wednesday, June 19.
The musicians, members of the Toledo Federation of Musicians Local 15-286, approved the contract in voting conducted on Thursday, June 6.
The five-year contract takes effect on September 1, 2019, and provides for a 2-percent raise on base salaries in years one and two, a 3 percent raise in years three and four, and a 4 percent raise in year five of the contract.
Musicians who contribute to the company’s 403b plan will also receive modest increases in the company match throughout the duration of the agreement, increasing from 1 percent to 2.5 percent. In addition, there will be an incremental increase in electronic media agreement (EMA) compensation paid to musicians for media use of performance recordings.
The five-year contract covers 69 Contract Musicians, and extends to other musicians brought in to supplement the core group.
“Given that the previous agreement was a three-year contract, this new five-year agreement represents a deeper commitment from the Board of Trustees, orchestra musicians, and management to the long- term sustainability of live orchestral music and music education in our community,” says Pam Hershberger, Board Chair. “Toledo Symphony musicians make up an integral part of our growing and vibrant performing arts scene in Toledo. We look optimistically to the future.”
Board members, staff, and musicians of the Orchestra Committee participated in negotiations. “
The team approached the table with a unified goal in mind: to ensure that our art form outlives us in this community,” says Zak Vassar, President & CEO. “After just completing our 75th anniversary season, under the guidance of our new artistic leader, Alain Trudel, we continue to build momentum. It is the perfect moment for all of us to come together and to lay the foundation for future growth. This five-year agreement is a significant step in the right direction.”
