Posted by Michael Eastep on November 07, 2001 at 23:09:10:
For those who are interested, the lockout of the players of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has ended after four weeks. I am sorry to say that the Board has basically won their position, which was to cut our season from 41 to 38 weeks for the next two seasons, with a freeze in the weekly salaries this year and a 5% raise in the weekly rate next season However, they will compensate us at a reasonable rate for three weeks of the lockout and will reschedule the fourth week for a week that has been scheduled as a dark week.
Through this first work stoppage in the history of the orchestra (as far as I know), the players have learned that it can happen here, that it is possible to survive several weeks without a paycheck, and that through a variety of activities including picketing (in tails), rallies, letter writing campaigns and joint action with other unions, it is possible to raise a considerable level of public support and cash.
Our union President, bass trombonist Mark Johnson, showed tremendous leadership by encouraging us to join the A.F. of M strike fund, writing and speaking in a very cogent, logical way and keeping our morale high by continuously circulating copies of letters of support from members of the public. He organized an appearance by our brass quintet along with a speech by himself at an Edmonton convention of the Alberta Union of Public Employees. These conveners then generously passed the hat and wound up donating no less than $17000 (yes, seventeen thousand dollars) to our cause. We are grateful for their help and will certainly keep part of this money aside to support other union members who find themselves in need.
Even though our Board was adamant in their position concerning cuts, we believe that they did feel the public anger and we still hope to accomplish some needed changes at the board and managerial levels. Although the change in economic climate has meant problems for many orchestras, we feel that the real failure of this board to raise adequate funds came during one of the most buoyant economic periods in Alberta's history. Their ability to cope with current conditions remains to be seen.
Anyway, it's good to be working inside again and looking forward to Symphonie Fantastique with Hans Graf. The 2nd tuba part will be played by Kenton McPeek, formerly of Calgary's Foothills Brass Quintet and nephew of Ben McPeek, who wrote a famous tuba solo advertising (in Canada only) the A and W chain.
Thanks to those of you who wrote encouraging letters. These make a bigger difference than I could have imagined.
Michael Eastep