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[Full view]
This cartoon, by Honolulu artist John Pritchett, was published in the Honolulu Weekly after the October 2003 announcement that the Symphony's 63 full-time and 20 part-time or per-service Musicians would be accepting a 20 percent wage cut in the middle of their five-year contract. More information on the news page.
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Current Issues
In mid-October 2003, the Musicians of the Honolulu Symphony were faced with an
unusual, complex, and difficult situation, when the Symphony Board and Management threatened immediate termination of the orchestra unless drastic cuts were agreed upon. Reluctantly and under duress, the Musicians agreed to 20 percent cuts in years three and four of the current five-year Agreement, with
a re-opener in the final year.
Compared to original salary projections, these cuts translate into at least $18,000 per musician over the remaining three years of the contract. This does not take into account the long-term effects of reduced pension and Social Security caused by these cuts. Despite the Musicians' substantial efforts to offer realistic solutions other than cuts, including bringing in industry professionals for advice, they were ignored by Board and Management. Being in the middle of a contract, it would have been
illegal for the Musicians to strike.
While presenting a dire financial situation, Management at the same time promised that substantial donations would be forthcoming and that the endowment campaign would be launched on the condition that the proposed cuts were agreed upon. As promised, $2.1 million was donated after an Agreement was reached. However, the endowment campaign that was promised never materialized.
The two tables below provide details for the original contract and the renegotiated contract.
Original Contract | Re-negotiated Contract
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