Monday, February 17, 2025

Toledo Symphony Orchestra Signs 5 Year Agreement with Local 15-286

The Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Local 15-286 of the American Federation of Musicians recently announced the approval of a five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This agreement will be in effect through the 2028/2029 season and represents their shared commitment to improving the creative workspace for Toledo Symphony Orchestra musicians.

Through the agreement, Toledo Symphony musicians receive compensation increases, totaling 39%, as well as an increase to their 403b retirement plan matching contributions. 

“There were three key goals for this negotiation,” Vanessa Gardner, Vice President and General Manager and lead negotiator for management said in a statement. “Both the Orchestra Committee and Management came to the table with the goal of significantly increasing musician compensation. Second, was to standardize per-service rates across salary tiers for a more equitable and industry-standard structure. And lastly, it was our mutual goal to modernize the agreement overall, including clarifying language, creating working conditions that are a benefit to both the musicians and the organization at large, and structuring the document itself in a clearer and easier to understand manner.”


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Other key points in the agreement include, additions to the Core Ochestra, fair and equitable compensation structure, improved tenure procedures, support for education and community engagment and improved leave policies. 

“This new agreement represents a monumental step forward for the Toledo Symphony and our talented musicians,” Zak Vassar, TAPA’s President & CEO said. “We are thrilled to have negotiated a contract that not only acknowledges the incredible work of our musicians but also sets the stage for continued growth and artistic achievement. This agreement reflects our commitment to excellence and community engagement, and we look forward to a bright future together.”

For more information, visit artstoledo.com/news/2024/09/24/tso-news/toledo-symphony-orchestra-and-local-15-286-of-the-american-federation-of-musicians-announce-5-year-master-agreement-with-historic-39-raises/.

The Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Local 15-286 of the American Federation of Musicians recently announced the approval of a five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This agreement will be in effect through the 2028/2029 season and represents their shared commitment to improving the creative workspace for Toledo Symphony Orchestra musicians.

Through the agreement, Toledo Symphony musicians receive compensation increases, totaling 39%, as well as an increase to their 403b retirement plan matching contributions. 

“There were three key goals for this negotiation,” Vanessa Gardner, Vice President and General Manager and lead negotiator for management said in a statement. “Both the Orchestra Committee and Management came to the table with the goal of significantly increasing musician compensation. Second, was to standardize per-service rates across salary tiers for a more equitable and industry-standard structure. And lastly, it was our mutual goal to modernize the agreement overall, including clarifying language, creating working conditions that are a benefit to both the musicians and the organization at large, and structuring the document itself in a clearer and easier to understand manner.”

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Other key points in the agreement include, additions to the Core Ochestra, fair and equitable compensation structure, improved tenure procedures, support for education and community engagment and improved leave policies. 

“This new agreement represents a monumental step forward for the Toledo Symphony and our talented musicians,” Zak Vassar, TAPA’s President & CEO said. “We are thrilled to have negotiated a contract that not only acknowledges the incredible work of our musicians but also sets the stage for continued growth and artistic achievement. This agreement reflects our commitment to excellence and community engagement, and we look forward to a bright future together.”

For more information, visit artstoledo.com/news/2024/09/24/tso-news/toledo-symphony-orchestra-and-local-15-286-of-the-american-federation-of-musicians-announce-5-year-master-agreement-with-historic-39-raises/.

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