Musicians at the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) voted Saturday to authorize a strike, marking the first such action in the ensemble’s 145-year history. The Boston Musicians' Association announced the authorization as the union’s current three-year contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
The labor dispute follows a period of organizational change that began in March, when the BSO leadership decided to end the tenure of music director Andris Nelsons. Nelsons, a Grammy Award-winning conductor who has led the orchestra for 13 seasons, is scheduled to leave the position next summer.
In a statement, the union criticized the BSO leadership for failing to agree to a collective bargaining agreement that would address musician concerns following the decision to terminate Nelsons. The union also stated that management has not accepted a proposal to bring in a mediator to assist with negotiations.
BSO CEO Chad Smith responded by stating that the organization respects the musicians' right to authorize a strike as part of the bargaining process. Smith said management remains focused on constructive conversations and is committed to reaching an agreement that includes competitive pay and benefits while enhancing collaboration with the players.
The impact of a potential work stoppage would be felt by concertgoers and the Boston cultural community starting Sept. 17, when the new season is scheduled to open. If an agreement is not reached and a strike occurs, scheduled performances at Symphony Hall could be postponed or canceled, affecting ticket holders and the venue's operations. The union has indicated that the current negotiations are a matter of restoring trust between the musicians and the leadership following the leadership's decision regarding Nelsons.
What happens next depends on the ongoing negotiations between the Boston Musicians' Association and BSO management. With the contract expiring at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, the union now holds the power to call a strike at any time. The orchestra's inaugural concert for the new season remains on the calendar for Sept. 17. Whether the parties will revisit the proposal for a mediator or reach an independent settlement before the season opener has not yet been determined.