WASHINGTON, D.C. – FMCS Director Allison Beck issued the following statement today on the announcement of a tentative agreement between the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 72-147:
“The announcement of a tentative agreement between the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association and the musicians who make it one of the nation’s premier orchestras is indeed music to the ears of music lovers everywhere. I applaud the musicians and orchestra management for their perseverance and their commitment to the artistic excellence of the orchestra and the collective bargaining process during extremely difficult negotiations,” Director Beck said. “Orchestra management and musicians have come together and demonstrated their devotion to their community, their supporters, and their art. The FMCS is honored to have played a small role in assisting the orchestra and its outstanding musicians in resolving the issues that divided them.”
Labor conflicts related to the financial stresses that some orchestras, operas, and performing arts institutions are facing have prompted a program of special training for FMCS mediators across the country. “At FMCS, our goal is to ensure that our skilled, professional mediators are armed with the most current knowledge, information, and innovative solutions in these increasingly difficult and more frequent disputes,” Director Beck said.
Beck also praised the efforts of FMCS Commissioners Dave Renfro and Rich Giacolone, who along with the Director, assisted the parties in Fort Worth. “They deserve enormous credit for their efforts in helping the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.”
In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the tentative agreement or the substance of the negotiations.