Grand Rapids Symphony & Musicians ratify 2-year agreement

The Grand Rapids Symphony and Local 56 of the Federation of Musicians of Grand Rapids have entered into a new two-year collective agreement (CBA). The agreement follows a previous five-year collective agreement (extended by one year) that will expire on August 31, 2021. The new agreement, ratified on September 1, will carry the Grand Rapids Symphony through the 2022-2023 season.

“We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has unanimously approved a two-year collective agreement with the Musicians’ Union that is both financially responsible and ensures that the Symphony’s tradition of musical excellence will continue. Said Luis Avila, Grand Rapids. President of the Symphonic Council. “We are delighted to be able to support our talented musicians in this way, and believe this is an extraordinary achievement given the unprecedented 18 months and the uncertainty we still face with the pandemic. The entire Symphony family can now focus exclusively on music and have a great 2021-2022 season. “

The agreement provides for the reinstatement of a 5% pay cut implemented for part of the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to bringing wages back to pre-pandemic levels, it also includes an additional 2% increase from January 2023.

Under the previous ABC, the Grand Rapids Symphony employed 47 full-time musicians and approximately 30 part-time musicians. During the term of the agreement, the structure of basic orchestral positions will be strengthened.

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Grand Rapids Symphony, musicians ratify 2-year contract – page 2

said Mary Tuuk Kuras, President and CEO of the

Grand Rapids Symphony

Between February and August, Symphony management met with members of the musicians’ negotiating committee in a series of discussions on economic and non-economic conditions to create a successor agreement.

Musicians’ Negotiating Committee Co-Chairs Barbara Corbató and Mark Buchner made the following statement on behalf of their committee. “The musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony and the American Federation of Musicians Local 56 are pleased with the outcome of this agreement. These negotiations were collaborative and productive and will allow the organization to be successful. We appreciate the support of the GRS Board of Directors and our community. leaders as we move forward with live performances and an in-person audience. “

In addition to the Grand Rapids Symphony’s own concert series, which includes the ten Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series concerts and the six Fox Motors Pops Series concerts at DeVos Performance Hall, the orchestra also performs with Grand Rapids Ballet and Opera Grand Rapids.