Montreal's new concert hall.
I just received a press release announcing that the Montreal Symphony Orchestra has reached a deal with its players. The new agreement provides for a 10.5 percent pay increase over four years, and improvements to the musicians’ pension fund.
This is indeed welcome and timely news – as the orchestra is about to give its first performances in its new $259 million concert hall. And it comes at a time when some American orchestras are looking at pay-cuts just to stay alive.
This is indeed welcome and timely news – as the orchestra is about to give its first performances in its new $259 million concert hall. And it comes at a time when some American orchestras are looking at pay-cuts just to stay alive.
“Management and the union both made compromises and demonstrated the open-mindedness needed to come to an agreement,” praised the MSO’s chairman, Lucien Bouchard.
I can remember when collective agreements were not so easily wrought in Canada – when orchestral strikes and lockouts were how the game was played. But perhaps architect Jack Diamond’s new hall is acting like a kind of aphrodisiac, with beneficial effects on both acoustics and good will.
© Colin Eatock 2011
I can remember when collective agreements were not so easily wrought in Canada – when orchestral strikes and lockouts were how the game was played. But perhaps architect Jack Diamond’s new hall is acting like a kind of aphrodisiac, with beneficial effects on both acoustics and good will.
© Colin Eatock 2011
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