Detroit Update 1/23/2011

According to the Detroit Free Press, there were negotiations today:

The musicians and management of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra returned to the bargaining table this afternoon to try to settle the contentious strike that enters its 17th week on Monday.

DSO board members received an e-mail from management today saying that talks had resumed, said board member Gloria Heppner.

The bargaining session follows a topsy-turvy Saturday that started with management breaking a mutually agreed upon news blackout in the morning to say that the renewed contract talks that began Thursday had already stalled. A few hours later, the musicians submitted a new proposal that led to today’s talks.

I suspect that, if they can’t get it done this time, it’ll be a while before there’s another attempt. But I suspect that there will be a settlement. It’s getting to be crunch time for management in several ways, including the need to announce next season. And clearly the musicians want to settle. I had thought the remaining obstacle was the nature of the educational and community services, in particular the extent to which they would be voluntary (or, to look at it another way, the extent to which musicians would need to do them to earn a full-time salary). I’m not sure I’m right. But we may find out in a day or so.