This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, June 26, 2012 - The St. Louis Symphony and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 2-197 have negotiated an early contract agreement that portends five years of harmony.

The new four-year contract kicks in Sept. 2, 2013 and will be effective until Aug. 27, 2017. Highlights of the agreement include:

• Yearly increases in minimum scale beginning in 2013 from $81,892 to $86,053 in 2017 (average 1.25 percent each year)
• A 1.5 percent pension hike over the four-year term
• Provisions for additional concerts

The new agreement will add 3.6 percent in musician expenses through the contract period. In a news release, Symphony president and CEO Fred Bronstein said the early agreement increases labor stability, donor confidence and planning ability.

“While the current contract does not expire until September 1, 2013, we believed it was in the interest of the Symphony, its musicians and the community to undertake an early negotiation with a goal of reaching agreement one year in advance of the expiration of the current agreement,” Bronstein said. 

Vicky Smolik, president of local 2-197, and Timothy Myers, chair of the musicians’ negotiating committee, praised the timing and results of the agreement.

“The musicians of the orchestra entered into these early negotiations because we saw the potential benefit for all constituents,” Meyers said. “Both sides were calmly able to address our respective concerns in ways that move the institution forward.” 

“We see this as a step forward to help the management of the St. Louis Symphony to build its financial base, thereby ensuring the continuation of this premier St. Louis cultural asset,” Smolik said.

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