Released June 1, 2007

Contract negotiations between Omaha's symphony musicians and the management of the Omaha Symphony broke down May 31 and no further talks are scheduled, said Craig Fuller, a member of the musicians' negotiating team and the Symphony's principal tuba player.

After accepting minimal salary increases for the last three years, the musicians, who are represented by the Omaha Musicians' Association Local 70-558, rejected the Symphony Association's proposed 2.5 percent salary increase for their 2007 contract, Fuller said.

"The musicians are frustrated by Symphony management's lack of respect for the contributions made by its musicians and their need to earn a living wage," Fuller said.

In offering another minimal salary adjustment, Symphony management stated that it needed time to assess long-term goals and develop a long-term plan. But Fuller said that was the same argument management used in urging musicians to accept minimal salary increases in a 2-year contact signed in 2004 and a 1-year agreement for 2006.

"Symphony management is again saying they need time to assess the marketplace and develop future plans," Fuller said. "This represents either a hollow negotiating strategy or it reflects a complete failure by management to do the job for which it is so generously compensated," Fuller said.

Last year, musician salaries made up less than a third of the symphony's operating budget, a historic low. In addition, musicians are not provided benefits on par with those provided to the Omaha Symphony administrative staff, Fuller said.

"It is especially disheartening when the Omaha Symphony Association President and CEO received salary increases of more than 20 percent for each of the last three seasons and earns more than $205,000 in 2005*, while a section musician earns $28,327," Fuller said. Symphony musicians with part-time contracts earn significantly less than that, Fuller added.

Uncompetitive salaries threaten the quality of the Omaha Symphony as it becomes more difficult to attract and retain talented musicians. Omaha Symphony musicians have earned a national reputation for their excellence and professionalism. The Omaha Symphony has lost musicians to the New York Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony, the Boston Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra in recent years, Fuller said, largely due to the inadequate pay and benefits provided by Symphony management. There are currently more openings for musicians than any time in the recent past, Fuller said.

"Many of the musicians who left Omaha were active community volunteers and contributed to the cultural diversity that makes Omaha a great place to live," Fuller said. "Many do not want to leave Omaha, but believe they are forced to find employment elsewhere to survive as professional musicians."

Out of respect for Symphony patrons, musicians will complete the season's performances as scheduled. Fuller said they plan to demonstrate their unity at the performances June 1-2 and at the Johnny Mathis concert June 9. Musicians will distribute information leaflets to patrons and will wear red, white and blue ribbons "unity" ribbons on stage.

Members of the Omaha Symphony Musicians Contract Committee negotiation team include Fuller; Principal Violist Thomas Kluge; double bass player Leslie Carter; bassoonist Karen Sandene; and percussionist Richard Jones.

*Mr. Hallam's 2005 salary including bonus was reported to be $205,152 in May, 2006. Management declined to reveal Hallam's current salary during recent negotiations. -END-

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