Seattle Symphony, management reach tentative agreement

The Seattle Symphony's musicians and management reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Wednesday, ending months of tense negotiations and averting a strike.

The 23-month, three-season contract — which could be extended for an additional eight months — would immediately cut musicians' pay by 5 percent until the end of this season, with the current pay scale resuming in 2011. Musicians also would pay a greater share of their health coverage.

In addition, each of the 84 members of the musicians union will contribute $2,010 — for a total of $168,840 — to the Symphony's Annual Fund.

Ratification of the contract is expected by the full union in coming weeks.

Symphony management and players have been negotiating a new contract for nine months to replace the one that expired at the end of last year.

The two sides had reached an impasse, though, over several key issues, with members of the players union unanimously rejecting management's proposal earlier this month and authorizing a strike if needed.

Indeed, the union had prepared picket signs. And, in a post that was briefly on the union's Web site Wednesday, it said it was setting a 1 p.m. Wednesday deadline for a strike.

Musicians had objected to management's original five-year contract proposal calling for a 10 percent pay cut.

Their current minimum base pay is $78,750, most of it paid for by Seattle Symphony with the remainder paid by Seattle Opera.

The musicians also feared a management proposal allowing an unspecified number of unfilled positions would result in the hiring of less-qualified temporary players. The new contract limits those unfilled positions to six after this season.

Symphony management had said a five-year contract, with 10 percent pay cuts, was necessary as part of its longer-term plan that includes sustained balanced budgets.

After two years of balanced budgets, the symphony ran a $1.2 million deficit last fiscal year and has a $4 million accumulated debt.

"We are hopeful that this tentative agreement will further the advancement of the symphony in a crucial time," said Tim Hale, violist and chairman of the musicians union.

Board Chairwoman Leslie Jackson Chihuly acknowledged the negotiations have been challenging but said, "We look forward to working together on many extraordinary artistic initiatives."

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com