Union Settles with Orchestras of Pasadena
Although the acquisition of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra by the Pasadena Symphony Association took place on October 1 of last year and the Pops summer season is about half-way through, it took until last week for Professional Musicians Local 47 and the newly formed The Orchestras of Pasadena to reach an agreement on how to handle the tenured members, principals and others of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra who, for all practical purposes, were let go when the Pasadena Symphony Association took over.
According to a press release from The Orchestras of Pasadena, Local 47 and The Orchestras have agreed to substantially apply the Local 47/Symphony Master Agreement to The Orchestra’s summer concert program which is given at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge.
While the agreement has not been released to the public, apparently a letter was sent to former members of the Pasadena Pops that assures that they will be called from a substitute list should an opening occur for a concert. It is unclear whether the list will provide tenured or principal performers any preference in the call for a job. Further, the former Pops musicians are to receive no severance pay or other credits. This may be due to the debts the Pasadena Pops had run up, reportedly about $1.5 million according to some.
The agreement was ratified by The Orchestras of Pasadena musicians, those members of the Pasadena Symphony who now perform under to banners of both orchestras. Musicians, under the agreement, will be allowed to raise issues regarding the summer series directly with The Orchestras Board of Directors to discuss issues that may arise. The current board consists of members of the previous Pasadena Symphony Association and some from The Pasadena Pops Orchestra.
The agreement is described as a “path” which indicates that there is more to come. The Orchestra’s announcement indicates that the current collective bargaining agreement was extended to encompass the conclusion of The Orchestra’s 2008 summer season.
by Bill Peters
Leave a Reply
