Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008 |
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra's professional musicians have a new contract in place following successful negotiations.
Effective Sept. 1, the nine professional performers will receive a pay hike of 14 per cent over three years (five percent, five per cent and four per cent).
But, even with the raise, it's not a lot of money compared to other professions, said Barb Parker, PGSO general manager.
The professionals are paid about $100 for each service, such as performances and rehearsals, with a guarantee of 74 services per season, which adds up to about $7,400 a year. With the pay hike, they will be paid about $8,436 by the 2010-11 season.
"The goal of the negotiations was to have an agreement that leaves the musicians feeling valued, but within the capabilities of the PGSO budget, " said Parker, who added the rate of pay per service is one of the lowest in B.C.
"However the new agreement is a positive step towards closing the gap with other B.C. orchestra rates."
PGSO musicians cannot make a full-time living playing for the orchestra, so they must teach full time, repair instruments "and scramble to find other means to supplement their symphony income," said Parker. "If the PGSO could consistently fill the hall during concerts, it would be able to offer more services like performances, concerts, and educational activities as well as hire more professional musicians," Parker said.
A few years ago the PGSO musicians took a severe reduction in the number of guaranteed services to help reduce the symphony budget and stabilize finances, she said
Yet latest negotiations were "short and amiable" and these dedicated musicians remain optimistic about the future of PGSO, Parker said.
The local musicians are represented by the Vancouver Musicians' Association Local 145 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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