NSO Musicians and Kennedy Center Reach Tentative Deal after Brief Strike

September 27, 2024, 5:36 PM · On Friday National Symphony Orchestra musicians and the Kennedy Center announced a tentative agreement, after a four-hour strike period during which the musicians were joined in solidarity by members of the Washington National Opera orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera House orchestra.

Musicians of the NSO announced on their Facebook page that a tentative decision had been reached, later posting a picture of musicians rehearsing for the orchestra's 2024–2025 Season Opening Gala concert on Saturday, still wearing their red solidarity t-shirts.

NSO musicians rehearse on Friday after their brief strike, still wearing their solidarity t-shirts.

Details of the agreement had not yet been posted on AFM Local 161-710's website by late Friday but the Kennedy Center posted a statement describing an 18-month labor agreement that would increase wages by four percent in year one and four percent in year two, with negotiations to commence in early 2026. This was slightly more than the three-percent a year increase initially proposed by the Kennedy Center, and shorter than the four-year contract initially proposed.

The Kennedy Center said that the package also includes expanded healthcare options at reduced costs for the musicians, the addition of paid parental leave, updates to audition and tenure processes, and funding of a third full-time librarian position requested by the musicians. The new contract will bring the base salary for musicians to $165,268 in year one and $171,879 in year two, said the statement.

"This 18-month contract will provide all parties time to come together to settle a longer-term agreement that demonstrates our respect for their artistic contributions and maintains the orchestra’s competitiveness in the field," the statement said. "This agreement also allows the Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra to operate in a way that is fiscally responsible and sustainable."

Negotiations had been ongoing since May and this week turned into a public relations battle, with NSO musicians distributing leaflets and making Instagram videos about what they do for the community and Kennedy Center posting aggressive statements, later taken down, on their social media outlets.

The tone calmed considerably following the tentative agreement Friday.

"The Kennedy Center and NSO board and leadership are satisfied that this agreement with the D.C. Federation of Musicians Local 161-710 reflects the world-class artistry of the musicians while recognizing the fiscal realities of the National Symphony Orchestra," said the Kennedy Center in a statement. "Since becoming an organization of the Kennedy Center in 1986—in an arrangement unique among American orchestras—the NSO has been an artistically vital part of the National Cultural Center. This agreement will ensure the future stability of both the NSO and Kennedy Center.

NSO Musicians thanked patrons and sponsors for their solidarity.

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NSO Musicians and Kennedy Center Reach Tentative Deal after Brief Strike

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