The musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra voted today to return to work without a contract.
Greg Bowens is the musicians spokesman:
"It was a very difficult, gut-wrenching decision; something we would have thought was unthinkable a week ago today, and that is they are trying to extend the hand of friendship in an effort to end the strike under the conditions management had previously imposed."
Bowens says the exact conditions under which the musicians would return will be revealed at a press conference this afternoon.
Management still has to agree to the idea.
The musicians have been on strike since October fourth.
Bowens wouldn't give details on why the musicians voted to go back to work without a contract, except to say this:
"Look, the Max M. Fisher Theater is spiraling out of control financially. Artists are turning down left and right the opportunity to perform there because they don't want to be a part of this strike.
The musicians understand that it's an important part of the economic engine for Midtown, and so they want to do everything they can in order to let the music play."
As the fight between Detroit Symphony Orchestra management and musicians drags on for the fourth month, another fight of sorts is playing out on facebook.
The DSO facebook fan page used to function like a typical fan page - stories about visiting conductors, upcoming concerts, and news about the orchestra’s Tiny Tots series.
But as the strike progressed, management has turned the DSO facebook fan page into a strike-update page, posting about negotiations and contract proposals.(The Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians have their own facebook page and post their viewpoints there.)
Some, like DSO Executive director Anne Parsons, describe the DSO facebook fan page as "a pretty active place to be." DSO conductor Leonard Slatkin commented on the page's level of "vitriol" at one point in a Detroit News Article.
Governor Rick Snyder's budget proposal drew praise and criticism (though slightly more criticism) on Thursday. The budget calls for deep cuts in spending across the board. It also calls for taxing private pensions. The Detroit Free Press described Snyder's budget as 'ambitious, but controversial:
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra strike might be reaching a crescendo. The DSO issue what it labelled its 'final offer' to striking musicians this week. And now, the Associated Press reports, the musicians union has scheduled a vote:
He didn't liken the proposed state budget to an atomic bomb this time around, but Lt. Governor Brian Calley continues to talk about the big changes Governor Snyder is seeking with his budget proposal.
The Snyder Administration will unveil the budget proposal to the State Legislature this Thursday. The Muskegon Chronicle wrote about Calley's remarks made on Saturday:
Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley told the Muskegon County Republican Party that Gov. Rick Snyder's first proposed budget to be unveiled Thursday to state legislators will make good on the promise of “shared sacrifice” and a taxing system that is “simple, fair and efficient.”
He said the first weeks of the Snyder administration has laid the groundwork for the most extensive change in public policies this state has seen in generations.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra talks continue
The DSO is trying to avoid a cancelation of its entire season with stepped up talks between management and the striking musicians. Both sides were negotiating over the weekend, the Detroit News reports:
While both sides were tight-lipped Sunday, musicians spokesman Haden McKay did confirm late this afternoon that talks that began Friday to end the work stoppage and avert cancellation of the rest of the 2010-11 season were still ongoing.
Friday and Saturday's talks were indirect, with each side making its case to an unnamed intermediary, who then communicated it to the other party in a form of shuttle diplomacy. McKay did not specify whether today's talks were face-to-face or indirect.
Aretha Franklin Honored
Aretha Franklin was honored last evening at the 53rd Grammy Awards. The Detroit News writes:
A noticeably slimmer Aretha Franklin appeared in a videotaped message at the 53rd Grammy Awards, following a tribute to the singer that kicked off today's awards show. She thanked fans for their support since her "hospitalization" but didn't get into any specifics of her illness, and she apologized for not being at the ceremony in person. "Next year, OK?" she said.
A video of what some of the artists think of Aretha:
The DSO talks have apparently hit another roadblock according to the Associated Press:
Striking Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians have rejected the latest contract proposal from orchestra management. A musician speaking Wednesday on the condition of anonymity because he isn't authorized to speak for the union told The Associated Press the offer was rejected but more talks are possible. Management officials submitted the proposal last Friday. It included a stipulation the musicians must respond by this Friday. Management spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt wouldn't confirm the rejection but says a statement is expected to be released later Wednesday. Teams representing management and musicians met in late January, but those talks collapsed as they accused each other of not adhering to a three-year, $36 million proposal made in December by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. The walkout began Oct. 4.
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