As for bringing in a different mediator to assist in the WCO situation, that is certainly a step that has been successful in other contentious negotiations but individuals with enough influence to bring about a mutually agreeable resolution are few and far between. There have been cases in recent years where this has worked wonderfully and there have been cases where some spectacular individuals have attempted to mediate disputes to no avail, which goes to show that silver bullets don’t exist.

For the benefit of all stakeholders, issues are examined here in much greater detail than what is allowed in print media outlets. This provides a clearer picture to all stakeholders of not only any given labor dispute but how the issues in each respective instance interact with historical trends and the current orchestral environment.

I’m certain you’ve noticed that there are no unique quotes from the WCO management or negotiators. They are contacted for quotes prior to each WCO related article but, so far, they decline those opportunities. Fortunately, this isn’t the norm in most situations and you can dig through Adaptistration’s archives for some excellent exchange of views between managers and musicians at other orchestras.

The unintended result in the WCO articles to date is there is less focus on the WCO’s positions compared to musicians becasue the musicians have been willing to share additional views that go beyond what is reported in the print media.

All of this demonstrates that any process is only as good as the people involved. Ultimately, you can’t start over in negotiations and people are people, the sort of emotional baggage you describe isn’t easy to shed. Instead, you usually have to work through those issues along with everything else that has taken place and (hopefully) both sides will eventually begin work to restore relationships.

Thanks for the clarification. I realize it would be important to maintain anonymity in certain circumstances. I guess it’s o.k. as long as the “moderating” doesn’t amount to censorship, with all due respect. I realize also that you need to protect the integrity of the site, but I hope that things aren’t being dismissed if not agreeing with what seems to be sort of a unilateral position. I just want the two sides to come together so that the concerts can return. Truth be told, I’m a subscriber so I have that vested interest. I would wonder if a third party (not the mediators, since I’ve assumed they haven’t been able to get anywhere) could “start over” to get rid of all the emotion and baggage that comes with contentious negotiations that seem to be lasting a long time.

I’ve had cases where musicians who don’t share the opinion of their colleagues post those feelings in a comment. Likewise, an orchestra manager expressing an opinion contrary to his/her boss is also encouraged to use a moniker. Now, I don’t tolerate unjustified personal attacks nor do I allow individuals to use anonymity to spread unverifiable information. Meaning, if an orchestra staffer or musician wrote to say their organization can’t make payroll this week, I would need to have that verified before I would allow it to be published.

This is why comments are moderated but NEVER edited; furthermore, comments diverging from my own opinion are regularly posted. All of this contributes a platform that provides an environment of meaningful discussion that doesn’t shy away from strong opinions.

And, with all due respect, I don’t really know why to believe one “truth” over another. It seems the truth is in the eye of the beholder, whoever that is at the moment.

Hannah says that all the musicians want is to be treated fairly; I would ever-so-slightly disagree and say that all they want is to be treated with honesty. When service guarantees (work days) are agreed upon at 75, dropped to 35, then raised back to 58 – what are we supposed to believe? We’ve all lost thousands of dollars in income adhering to good-faith bargaining; Doug Gerhart has not lost a dime. Let me be very clear, Mary – WCO musicians are hurting right now; some are hurting BADLY.

We have the truth, the rule of law which we must follow, and that’s about it. Our employer can say whatever they want to our ticket buyers and the public while we have to do everything by the book. We’ve committed ourselves and our careers to the WCO; all have strived to make this orchestra a top priority, some have even moved here to better facilitate that commitment – for a part-time job!

Mary, we want the strike and the drama to end. We want to be as “confident about the future” as Doug Gerhart claims to be. To share in that confidence, we must have the truth.