Philadelphia Orchestra and Musicians Reach Agreement on 3-Year Contract with 15.8% Salary Increase

Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association have reached a collective bargaining agreement that includes a 15.8% increase in minimum salaries over three years. The deal, ratified by Local 77 of the American Federation of Musicians, covers the period from September 11, 2023, to September 13, 2026. The salary increases will be distributed as follows: 6% in the first year, 4.5% in the second year, and 4.5% in the third year. This new agreement replaces the previous four-year contract that expired on September 10, 2023.

After the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Philadelphia Orchestra Association and the musicians were tasked with finding a financially responsible way forward. In a statement, Ralph W. Muller and Michael D. Zisman, co-chairs of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc., expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations.

The new contract also includes provisions regarding the number of musicians hired each year. Management is required to maintain a minimum of 105 musicians and two librarians. In addition, substitute and extra musicians will now earn the same as full-time musicians by the third year of their service. The agreement also guarantees payment to substitute musicians if their engagements are canceled with less than two weeks’ notice.

The agreement also eliminates a lower rate of overtime pay for performances involving movies and mandates two days of rest after most Sunday concerts. David Fay, a double bassist who has been with the orchestra since 1984 and chairs the musicians’ members committee, called the new contract a victory for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The base salary for the 2022-23 season, including electronic media agreement wages, was $152,256. Each musician also received a supplemental payment of either $750 or $1,500 for each year of the contract. The support of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the music director since 2012-13, was acknowledged by the musicians as a key factor in the successful negotiations.

The Philadelphia Orchestra had previously filed for bankruptcy in 2011 but emerged a year later. Musicians went on strike on September 30, 2016, resulting in the cancellation of that season’s opening night. However, an agreement was reached two days later.