DETROIT — The Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Saturday suspended the rest of the season’s orchestral concerts after musicians voted to reject what management called its final contract offer, dashing hopes for an end to the contentious walkout that has dragged on for more than four months.
The
musicians said no further meetings with management had been scheduled, but they said they are committed to seeking a compromise. The musicians said the latest offer was unacceptable, in part because it would have saddled them with higher heath care deductibles and travel costs.
“Today’s decision reflects our deep disappointment at the inability of the executives to be upfront and honest with people,” said Gordon Stump, president of the Detroit Federation of Musicians.
The symphony responded to the vote by saying it has released artists and conductors from their contracts and cancelled the rest of the season, which was to run through June 5. Management said a settlement in the strike that began Oct. 4 could lead to some concerts being rescheduled, or to a 2011 summer season.
The DSO described its offer as a nationally competitive, comprehensive compensation package that includes healthcare benefits proposed by the union and continued educational and community engagement efforts.
DSO Board Chairman Stanley Frankel called the rejection “disappointing news.” He said that management remains committed to returning to labor contract talks, but that he thinks future proposals will be influenced by the DSO’s deteriorating economic condition because of the strike.
“Even our last proposal would have caused the DSO to face multi-million deficits for the foreseeable future,” he said. “We were willing to make that commitment in order to settle this strike and return our musicians to the stage.”
Management has been seeking deep pay cuts because of the symphony’s deficit, and delivered what it described as a final offer on Tuesday. Musicians have offered to accept some pay cuts, but Detroit Federation of Musicians union leaders this week had urged members to turn down the proposal.
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