London, UK (Top40 Charts/ Detroit Symphony Orchestra) Last weekend, musicians from several U.S. orchestras, members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), wore bracelets bearing the words "AFM Solidarity" as a show of support for their colleagues in the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and other orchestras experiencing similar economic and labor strife. This weekend, more orchestras are joining in and supporting the AFM's coordinated national effort to raise awareness and fight the reductions in wages and working conditions that threaten orchestra musicians throughout the U.S.
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Signature Symphony, Stockton Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will be wearing the "AFM Solidarity Bracelets" in addition to their usual concert black at this weekend's concerts. Musicians with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Elgin Symphony Orchestra are planning similar shows of support in the next few weeks. Additional orchestras are considering participation.
"The bracelets are just the latest example of what has been an unprecedented show of support for fellow musicians," says AFM President Ray Hair. "Musicians from across the U.S. and Canada have come together to support DSO's cause through donations and displays of solidarity."
"San Francisco Symphony musicians completely support our Detroit colleagues' efforts to achieve a contract that preserves the quality of their orchestra," says Catherine Payne, San Francisco Symphony (SFS) flutist and co-chair of the SFS Players Committee. "We are heartsick that, after five long months, the DSO musicians are still not back where they should be, on the stage of The Max, serving their community."
The DSO musicians have been on strike since early October, when orchestra management attempted to implement musician pay cuts of more than 40% and new work rules that would change the way the orchestra engages with the Detroit community. Musicians worry that management's envisioned "new model" of community service engagement would reduce the orchestra to a second-tier organization.
AFM Local 5 President Gordon Stump states, "It is essential to maintain a first-tier symphony orchestra in Detroit, not only because of the cultural opportunities it provides the community, but also because the orchestra contributes significantly to economic activity in the area. Restaurant owners in downtown Detroit, for example, have noted losses of 10% to 25% since the strike began."
"Community Service Engagement has become a red herring for downsizing musicians' wages and working conditions and dividing the collective," adds AFM Symphonic Services Director Christopher Durham. "Musicians performing in American orchestras have willingly performed community partnership services since the 1970s. The DSO management and the League of Orchestras, in attempting to redefine the American symphony orchestra, are unnecessarily reinventing the wheel."
The cultural industry is very much alive and significantly contributes to the economic impact of communities. According to the Americans for the Arts, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year-$63.1 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences.
Still fighting for a resolution to the strike, musicians have made it clear that they are willing to return to the table to negotiate. Management, however, has stubbornly refused to continue negotiations, which brings to light a different motive. "Union busting is fashionable these days, but fortunately so is fighting back," says AFM President Ray Hair. "Regardless of your trade or profession, be it musician, laborer, teacher, or engineer, 'sticking together' is no longer a cliche, but the key to surviving the class warfare that is rearing its ugly head throughout our country."
While musicians wear bracelets of solidarity, the rest of the public can support the DSO musicians' cause, as well. A donation to the DSO Members Fund will enable the DSO musicians to continue to take a stand for their art form, and will resound nationwide. Checks should be made out to DSO Members Fund and mailed to: DSO Members Fund; c/o Susan Barna Ayoub, Secretary-Treasurer; Detroit Federation of Musicians; 20833 Southfield Rd.; Detroit, MI 48075. More information on the DSO strike is available at www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org.
