Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Chris Roberts
MINNEAPOLIS

Minn Orch musicians demand end to lockout

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Minnesota Orchestra musicians have set a new condition in their labor dispute with the orchestra management.

Members of the musicians' negotiating committee told the orchestra's board of directors Friday they won't return to the bargaining table until management ends the seven-month long lockout.

A member of the musicians' negotiating committee, Tim Zavadil, said ending the lockout would convince musicians that management is committed to maintaining a world-class orchestra.

"We've really got to rebuild trust within the organization, and ending the lockout is the first step to doing that," said Zavadil. We believe that productive discussions can happen once the lockout ends."

But a member of the orchestra management's negotiating committee called the request a "terrible development." Doug Kelley said members of the board want to resume negotiations with musicians, and are disappointed with their new position.

"Nobody expected the first offer to be the last offer. We expected to negotiate, have proposals and counter-proposals go back and forth, and why can't we do that?" said Kelley. "And the musicians kept going back to saying, 'you gotta end the lockout first.'"

After the musicians' presentation to the orchestra board Friday, the board passed a resolution unanimously supporting the position of management.

Orchestra management has proposed a contract that would cut the musicians' average salary by more than 30 percent, to about $89,000, but add two more weeks of vacation to 12 weeks. They're also proposing a reduction in benefits.