Fort Worth Symphony musicians strike

[tammywammy]

Source: Fort Worth Star Telegram

The music has stopped for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

The musicians officially went on strike at 12:30 p.m. Thursday and symphony management subsequently canceled this weekend’s upcoming concert series featuring Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Ticket holders are being contacted by symphony management through e-mail and phone calls and are being asked to hold on to their tickets.

The strike, which was authorized by union members on Tuesday evening, comes one day after symphony management issued its “last, best and final offer,” in contract talks. The offer was characterized by union leadership as the same proposal that musicians voted to reject on Sunday evening.

“We want our audiences and the citizens of Fort Worth to know how much we regret that we are forced to take this extreme step,” said Julie Vinsant, a bassist and member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 72-147’s negotiating committee. “We call on our management to come back to the table so that we can continue providing great music for our great city. We are very thankful for your continuing steadfast support."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article100625872.html

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I'm a season ticket holder and I fully support the orchestra. They're already underpaid and being asked to take another pay cut. Amy Adkins is a failure and needs to be replaced.

[displacedtexan]

1. I'm sitting on my brother's sofa in Ft. Worth right now.

Most people don't have any idea that most of the symphony musicians have to teach or work some other job because the symphony salary isn't enough to live on.

I hope they're successful in their contract negotiations!

[tammywammy]

2. Through junior high and high school

I took private cello lessons from a Fort Worth symphony musician.

I saw on fb, the musicians are asking for people to join the picket line tomorrow at 6pm at Bass Hall. Wear green to show your support! Check Musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony fb page.

[LanternWaste]

5. I'll be on the line marching with the winds on the 10th.

I'll be on the line marching with the winds on the 10th. Proud supporters of the FWSO (and ex-member of the FWYO) who loves Bass Hall, Forth Worth and the symphony, and realizes they already took a voluntary 13.5% cut about fives years ago.

[redstateblues]

3. 30 year American Federation of Musicians local 257 member here

In solidarity with my brothers and sisters in Fort Worth

[jberryhill]

4. I fret there may be treble ahead for them