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Still No Deal As Orchestra's Masterworks Season Nears

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By KURT LOFT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 29, 2007

TAMPA - The Florida Orchestra's 40th anniversary season could fall silent at the onset if the area's largest performing arts group doesn't iron out a new musicians' contract.

Although officials say the possibility of a musicians' strike next week is unlikely, both parties on Friday had yet to come to terms on salary and other conditions. The masterworks season is scheduled to open Thursday in Tampa, but the players' three-year contract expired Aug. 31.

'Right now, we're in a play-and-talk situation,' said Harold Van Schaik, an orchestra trombonist and musicians committee spokesman. 'We are hopeful to continue working toward a mutually agreeable resolution.'

At issue is the pay scale and length of seasons. The orchestra board has proposed cutting musicians salaries by 8 percent. The orchestra's 80 full-time musicians currently are making $875 a week for a 34-week season.

The average base salary for professional symphony musicians across the country is about $44,000. If The Florida Orchestra musicians agree to management's terms, their base salary would drop from $30,000 to $27,000, Van Schaik said. Cutting costs comes in light of last year's $665,000 deficit, and the possibility this season of losing $550,000 in state and local grant money.

Like many groups around the country, The Florida Orchestra has had its share of labor discord. The musicians went on strike twice in the 1980s, including an 85-day dispute that began in October 1985.

Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib.com.

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