National Symphony Orchestra Goes on Strike Ahead of Season Opening

Photo Credit: Myznik Egor

For the first time in 46 years, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) musicians have called a strike against their employer, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Here’s the latest.More than 90 musicians have joined the strike after negotiations began in May but have not progressed as both parties remain far apart on wages and other important issues. The musicians are supported by their union, the DC Federation of Musicians, Local 161-170, American Federation of Musicians. They are seeking reasonable wage increases that average a 6.25% increase over the next four years.

Those increases recognize that the musicians have seen their pay decrease by about 15% since the beginning of their last contract, which took effect September 2019 and expired September 2024. The 15% decline in real wages does not account for the fact that each NSO musician voluntarily gave back a minimum of $60,000 in salary during the pandemic.

After walking off the job this morning, the musicians set up a picket line outisde the Kennedy Center. They are taking advantage of their unique talents to supplement the demonstration with musical performances. The strike imperils the musicians’ Season Opening Gala this Saturday, and it will continue until the Kennedy Center agrees to fair terms in a new collective bargaining agreement.

“All across the country, we’ve seen employers agree to contracts with substantial wage increases in recognition of the impact that inflation has had on employees’ cost of living,” says Ed Malaga, President of the DC Federation of Musicians, Local 161-170, American Federation of Musicians. “The music world is no different. Just a few weeks ago, the New York Philharmonic demonstrated its commitment to compensating its musicians in the manner they deserve, agreeing to wage increases of 10% per year over three years.”“The Boston Symphony negotiated a similar contract last August. The musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra are standing together and demanding that the Kennedy center show the same respect.”

AFM President Tino Gagliardi also released a statement in support of these striking musicians. “The full resources of the AFM will be utilized in maximum to support the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra in their strike,” Gagliardi told Digital Music News. “I find it particularly abhorrent that Deborah Rutter, President of the Kennedy Center, feels she deserves to be paid commensurate with her peer group but does not respect the orchestra similarly.”

“Nobody pays to see Deborah Rutter perform; they pay to see the world-class musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra. We have bargained in good faith with the Kennedy Center, but it is clear they have no respect for the orchestra and Rutter and her team do not recognize the value of the musicians. The musicians bring cultural integrity to the United States and world audiences, and Rutter and the Kennedy Center bring disappointment and embarrassment to their iconic cultural organization. Shame on them.”