Orchestra Management Offers Binding Arbitration, Ultimatum to Musicians

The Louisville Orchestra has put another offer on the table for musicians.The orchestra has not performed all year and the players and management remain at odds over the terms of a new contract. Today, management offered to enter binding arbitration with the musicians.Both sides would choose a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators who would help settle remaining conflicts on the size of the orchestra, the season length, the contract length, salary, benefits and non-compete terms. The management has agreed not to cut musician pay, though a shorter season would mean less money for the players.If the players do not accept the offer by next Friday, orchestra management says they will hire new musicians. A representative for the musicians says the group is still reviewing the offer.