Mr. Dennis La Barre
President
Board of the Cleveland Orchestra
Severance Hall
11001 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1713

Mr. Gary Hanson
Chief Executive Officer
Musical Arts Association
Severance Hall
11001 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1713

Dear Mr. La Barre and Mr. Hanson:

I strongly oppose any effort by the Musical Arts Association (MAA) to force the musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra to take an unreasonable and unwarranted 5% pay cut following already significant reductions in their health care and retirement plans. I urge you to resume meaningful negotiations with the musicians and ensure their compensation package is sufficiently competitive to maintain or increase the caliber of the Cleveland Orchestra.

It is my understanding the workers have agreed to take a one-year salary freeze, and that the MAA has refused this offer. Furthermore, I am told that the proposed 5% pay cut would increase the gap in annual compensation between the Cleveland Orchestra and other top ranked orchestras in the United States to over $15,000 in the next few years.

As you know, the Cleveland Orchestra has long been one of the top orchestras in the nation. Following significant reductions in salary and benefits over the past few years, the Orchestra’s standing has slipped compared to orchestras across the country. I am concerned that without a top-tier compensation package, the Cleveland Orchestra will be unable to recruit or retain world class musicians.

The Musical Arts Association has an obligation to the musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra and to the Greater Cleveland Community to ensure the Cleveland Orchestra’s continued excellence. The future of the Cleveland Orchestra is at stake. I urge you to negotiate in good faith with the musicians.

Sincerely,

Dennis J Kucinich
Member of Congress

(Download PDF of the original letter from Congressman Dennis Kucinich)