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Montreal, August 28, 2018 — The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) have announced the signing of a collective agreement binding the Orchestre OSM and its musicians for five years, starting September 1st. This is the first time in at least 30 years that a collective agreement on behalf of OSM musicians is negotiated and signed before the expiry of the previous one.
The financial details of this agreement, which include annual remunerative increases totalling 10% over the five years, along with greater pension benefits, are consistent with the conditions of major North-American symphony orchestras. The agreement also allows for greater flexibility, facilitating a maintenance of sound cost control, all the while protecting and improving the working conditions of musicians.
“This agreement will help the OSM to further develop on a solid foundation and to promote itself on a national and international scale. It is a pledge of stability that reflects the harmonious relationships within the orchestra, while helping to maintain an environment conducive to artistic creation and excellence,” said Lucien Bouchard, Chair of the Board of Directors of the OSM. “This is great news for our subscribers, donors, sponsors, and other partners and members of the Orchestre family in general.”
For Luc Fortin, President of the GMMQ, “this agreement is the result of a spirit of collaboration between OSM management, its musicians, and their professional association. In the current 2 context, it is important to work together toward long-term and realistic solutions that will ensure the sustainability of the jobs of our members while maintaining working conditions befitting of an orchestra of international reputation.”
Chief Executive Officer of the OSM Madeleine Careau is pleased that the new agreement “will help the OSM to meet the challenges facing the world of classical music, especially in the areas of new digital platforms and reaching a wider audience that is highly responsive to different forms of cultural expression. This successful conclusion to collective bargaining will enable us to go further along the path of budgetary rigour, while allowing the OSM’s programming to be continually enriched for the benefit of its audiences.”
Exchanges between the parties took place with remarkable openness to dialogue, facilitating agreement on mutually acceptable solutions to the issues raised on both sides.
The OSM and the GMMQ wish to acknowledge the contributions of the members of both bargaining committees. OSM musicians included Edward Wingell (committee chair), Denys Derome, Hugues Tremblay, Marie-Andrée Chevrette, Marc Béliveau, and Bernard Leblanc (Symphonic Services Division of the American Federation of Musicians and representative of the GMMQ). The OSM management side included Michel Hamelin (committee chair), Marie-Josée Desrochers, Jean Gaudreault, Sébastien Almon, and Catherine Ferland.
About the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal: Since its founding in 1934, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal has distinguished itself as a leader in the orchestral life of Canada and Québec. A cultural ambassador of the highest order, the Orchestre has earned an enviable reputation internationally through the quality of its many recordings and tours. The OSM carries on that rich tradition under the leadership of its Music Director, Kent Nagano, while featuring innovative programming aimed at updating the orchestral repertoire and deepening the Orchestre’s connection with the community. Over the years the Orchestre has performed on more than 40 tours and some 30 national and international excursions. The OSM has made over 100 recordings for Decca, EMI, Philips, CBC Records, Analekta, ECM, and Sony, as well as on its own label, which have earned it some 50 national and international awards. The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s presenting sponsor is HydroQuébec.
About the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec: The Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) has a mission to promote the value of music as well as the vital contribution of professional musicians to society by representing and defending their artistic, social, and financial interests. Notably, the GMMQ sets minimum working conditions for musicians and acts collectively on behalf of its members when it considers that their interests are affected. To this end, the GMMQ works with organizations whose objectives are similar. It also actively lobbies to promote music and musicians to local, national, and international government bodies and communities. In addition, the GMMQ provides musicians with a range of services, such as legal services and preferential rates with several companies, including insurance companies.
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