The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musicians, who are unionized, have gone on strike, leading to the cancellation of several upcoming shows this weekend.
Angela Elster, the President of VSO, acknowledges the musicians’ right to collective action but expresses disappointment over the inconvenience caused to audiences by the work stoppage.
The VSO website informs that due to the strike, multiple events scheduled for the weekend will not take place, and further details will be conveyed directly to ticket holders.
Amidst the labor dispute, Audrey Patterson, the president of the Vancouver Musicians’ Association union, reveals that while the employer proposed a 15% wage increase over three years, the union countered with a demand for a 23% increase over the same period.
In response to the strike notice issued by the Vancouver Musicians’ Association Local 145, musicians began picketing at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver on Thursday evening.
Despite efforts from both sides to negotiate, an agreement was not reached following a meeting on Thursday afternoon. The union expressed a desire to resume talks and find a resolution that would allow the musicians to return to the stage for the enjoyment of the audience.
The impacted shows include Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert on Sept. 25 and 26, TwoSet Violin with the VSO on Sept. 27, and The Path Forward on Sept. 28.