The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Board of Directors Chairman Chuck Surack released a letter to the community today (Tuesday) addressing the ongoing contract and labor disputes between the organization and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players Association.
Contract negotiations stalled in August of last year. A major point of contention has been the number of full-time musicians employed by the orchestra.
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic board of directors have proposed cutting full-time musicians from 63 to as low as 15.
In his letter, Surack says the Philharmonic was never locked in at 15 musicians, but that “the union would not discuss any number less than 44.”
Surack says despite these challenges, the board is committed to negotiating a fair contract, and that “musicians have indicated” they may return to negotiations.
Spokesman for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players Association, Campbell MacDonald responded to Surack’s letter via email. He says Surak “fails to mention a recent federal complaint filed against the Philharmonic,” which MacDonald says contradicts Surack’s statement.
On February 24, the Indianapolis branch of the National Labors Relations Board filed a formal complaint against the Philharmonic as the result of an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed in November.
Letter to the Community 03-09-21 by Rebecca Green on Scribd
