Detroit Symphony management: Granholm, Levin proposal not "feasible"

Governor Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Senator Carl Levin issued a joint letter Thursday detailing the framework for a possible resolution between Detroit Symphony Orchestra management and its musicians who have been on strike since October 4.

Granholm and Levin's proposal called for a 3-year deal that would cost a total of $36 million.

DSO Board Chair Stanley Frankel said he appreciates the offer, but:

"A $36 million compensation package is beyond what every consultant and our Board have said is feasible."

Management's most recent proposal totaled $34 million, the musicians countered with a $38 million proposal.

The musicians, on the other hand, think Granholm and Levin's proposal "provides a path to a fair resolution of this 11-week strike," and they're ready to go back to the bargaining table and work out a settlement:

"The $36 million figure will definitely require further difficult sacrifice from the musicians.  Some contentious issues will remain to be worked out.  However, we believe that with good will on both sides we can go forward under this framework to reach a contract that will preserve a DSO of which we can all continue to be proud."

The DSO musicians went on strike Oct. 4 after management demanded a slew of concessions to deal with its growing deficit. The DSO recently announced a $8.8 million budget deficit for the 2010 fiscal year.