Orchestra musicians stage strike

Outside the David Geffen Hall on Sunday, orchestra musicians who typically perform inside Lincoln Center’s hallowed halls staged an impromptu concert — for a first contract. 

The freelance musicians, who have been on strike for more than a month, rallied along with their trombones, trumpets and saxophones on the Broadway sidewalk in support of an agreement with performance producer Distinguished Concerts International.  

The musicians, who played tunes such as “Hit the Road Jack” alongside an inflatable Scabby the Rat during Sunday’s picket, have been represented by the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 since 2019, but have been without a contract with DCINY since then. DCINY produces concerts at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

After the producer refused to come to negotiate on the musicians’ demands for job security, professional wages and health benefits, the union filed unfair labor practice charges, which the National Labor Relations Board upheld.

In January, DCINY and Local 802 agreed to federal mediation. But talks broke down when the producer refused to bargain on its hiring practices, according to the union, which led the workers to vote in favor of authorizing a strike on Feb. 14.

“Going on strike is scary. Unfortunately, I don't see another option," Dan Wions, a French hornist, said in a statement.

"It is disappointing that DCINY's management does not value the contributions that the orchestral musicians have given to help their organization thrive for well over a decade,” Greg Williams, who plays viola, said in a statement.

The union alleged that, despite being known as a professional orchestra, DCINY has turned to hiring non-union performers, including students, since the musicians voted to unionize. DCINY stated that the union has “misrepresent[ed] these performances as a replacement of a full orchestra for orchestral programming,” adding that “featuring young performers has been a part of DCINY since its inception as part of our educational program.” 

The workers are seeking an organized hiring list that would put an end to such hiring practices, according to the union. The union stated that hiring lists are a “standard right” for many professional orchestras and ensembles in the city.

"It is not unreasonable for musicians to know how often they can expect to be hired to perform in a given year, according to an ordered hiring list, without a sizable portion of the orchestra being replaced by new players (in retaliation for our organizing efforts) on every concert,” Williams said.

The musicians held a similar protest performance outside of Carnegie Hall last month.

Andy Blanco, a percussionist, and Tallie Brunfelt, a violinist, both members of the bargaining committee, said in a joint statement that “even though we’re currently paid about 50 percent less than other union orchestras who play in Carnegie Hall, our main concern isn’t even about higher wages.”

“Unfortunately, DCINY continues to reject the concept of a roster based on past hiring practices,” they added. 

The workers are also seeking provisions in the contract to allow breaks, pension and health contributions, and payments for recorded shows.

“I’m optimistic that this strike will lead management to do the right thing and approve a fair contract,” said violist Nikki Federman.

DCINY said that reaching a deal “is now in the union’s hands.”

“DCINY has negotiated with the union in good faith and shares its goal of providing opportunities for all musicians in a fair and equitable way,” the producer said in a statement.

clewis@thechiefleader.com