National Symphony Orchestra Ratifies Contract

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The National Symphony Orchestra agreed to a new four year contract on November 18. The orchestra has been without a contract since September 6 of this year.

The musicians’ pay will remain the same, $1844 per week, for the first six months of the contract and then increase over the next four years. By the time the new contract expires musicians will be receiving $2077 per week. The contract also calls for increased pension, better health coverage and greater flexibility in scheduling and touring.

Executive Rita Shapiro noted how smoothly the negotiations went. “Many topics were raised and thoughtfully explored,” she said. “All of us were unified in our desire to see the negotiations through to a successful conclusion. We all recognize that this process takes an enormous amount of time and energy, and I want to express my thanks to all members of the team.”

The Negotiating Chair of the Orchestra Committee, William Foster, agreed. “Negotiations are never an easy time for an orchestra, but the smoothness of the talks here reflects the long-standing positive working relationship among the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, our management, our Board, and also the leadership of the Kennedy Center. It was a good feeling that in this process we were all ‘playing from the same score’ and were able to craft a four-year agreement that will maintain this orchestra’s place as one of the country’s best.” –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers