NSO Musicians Authorize Strike Over Wage Dispute with Kennedy Center

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) musicians have unanimously voted to authorize a strike against the Kennedy Center, as announced by their union on Monday. This decision comes after months of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, which began in May 2024.

At the heart of the dispute lies a significant wage gap between NSO musicians and their counterparts in orchestras of similar stature. The union, representing the NSO musicians, has proposed wage increases averaging 6.25% annually over four years. In contrast, the Kennedy Center has offered increases averaging 3% per year for the same period.

This potential strike could impact the NSO's upcoming performances, including concerts featuring Sara Bareilles and the season opening gala. The NSO, founded in 1931, typically performs about 150 concerts per season and has been an integral part of Washington D.C.'s cultural landscape for over nine decades.

The wage dispute reflects a broader trend in the orchestral world. Recently, other major orchestras have negotiated substantial pay increases. The New York Philharmonic, America's oldest symphony orchestra established in 1842, ratified a contract with a 30% increase over three years. Similarly, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1881, adopted a "catch-up" agreement in 2023 after pandemic-related wage freezes.

The union argues that the current pay disparity, combined with the high cost of living in Washington D.C., makes it challenging for the NSO to attract and retain top talent. This issue is particularly pressing given the NSO's status as a national cultural institution that has performed for every U.S. president since its inception.

"We're proud to be part of the NSO. We've accomplished great things. But the bottom line is the Kennedy Center needs to recognize that in this contract. Many of us have moved from around the world to be part of an organization like the NSO. If the Kennedy Center refuses to pay its musicians like the world class artists they are, musicians around the world are going to know it, and they're going to want to be part of an organization that does."

The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, describes its proposal as "generous and fiscally responsible." The offer includes a 12% wage increase over four years, bringing the minimum NSO base salary to $178,840. The Center also highlighted additional benefits such as expanded healthcare options and paid parental leave.

It's worth noting that during the pandemic, NSO musicians received 65% of their contractual salary during an 18-month closure. They also raised $130,000 of their own money to assist furloughed NSO staff.

This labor dispute is not unique to the NSO. Orchestras across the country are facing similar challenges. The San Francisco Symphony, for instance, is currently dealing with a chorus strike and the upcoming departure of its director, Esa-Pekka Salonen, at the end of the 2024-2025 season.

The last NSO strike against the Kennedy Center occurred in October 1978, with then-Music Director Mstislav Rostropovich joining the picket line. As negotiations continue, both parties express hope for a resolution that ensures the NSO's continued excellence while maintaining the Kennedy Center's financial stability.