Fort Worth Symphony musicians, management back in contract talks

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association officials and the union that represents its musicians were scheduled to resume contract negotiations Tuesday.

Neither Symphony President and CEO Amy Adkins nor Kenneth Krause, head of Local 72-147 of the American Federation of Musicians, responded to requests for comment Tuesday, nor did they confirm that the talks took place as scheduled.

The musicians’ contract expired July 31. The FWSO had rejected the union’s opening offer of $3.5 million in wage increases spread over three years. It also turned down a revised offer by musicians that postponed the raises until after a one-year freeze.

Citing financial challenges, orchestra management had sought to reduce the paid season by three weeks, resulting in less paid time off — a counteroffer that, Adkins asserted, would amount to a 6.5 percent pay cut. Krause said it totals an almost 9 percent cut.

Two days of contract talks last month ended with the performers rejecting a second counteroffer.

Negotiations are set to continue Wednesday.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 7:40 PM with the headline "Fort Worth Symphony musicians, management back in contract talks."