Orchestra Musicians Voting on New Contract Today

The musicians of the Louisville Orchestra are voting today on a contract for the current and upcoming seasons.The musicians and management have been at odds over the contract for months, and the impasse has resulted in the cancellation of three months of concerts. The management had previously pushed for a tiered system, with musicians signing contracts for 10, 20 or 30 weeks. The musicians countered with a proposal to cut the number of full-time players from 71 to 60 and the season length from 37 to 35 weeks.The management had insisted on a tiered contract, saying it was the only affordable option after emerging from Chapter 11. But sources close to the deal tell WFPL the proposal being voted on today calls for 50 full-time players at the current pay rate for 30 weeks each season. It allows for more musicians and higher salaries to be added over the next five seasons. The contract will expire in 2017.The deadline for the cancellation of December concerts is looming, and the voting on the contract will close today. If the contract is approved, the orchestra season would continue.The contract also increases the maximum temperature under which musicians can perform and cuts the number of portable toilets the management must provide at outdoor concerts.Both sides are under a press blackout and have declined to comment.