Chicago Classical Review

Negotiations on a contract for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians went down to the season-opening wire last week with a new contract approved hours before the old one expired.

The terms call for musicians’ base salary to increase by 12.5% over three years— 4% in each of the first two years and 4.5% in the final year. That is a 3.5% increase over the same duration in the most recent 2023 contract.

Insurance and retirement benefits are retained, with a 0.25% increase in the CSOA’s contribution to each musician’s retirement account starting in the second year of the agreement.

There were a number of unspecified changes to the agreement that “improve working conditions for the musicians, enable the expansion of media activities and create efficiencies and cost reductions, including in healthcare, for the CSOA,” according to the joint press statement of the CSOA and Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208.

Agreement on the new contract was reached late on the evening of Sunday September 13, hours before the old contract was due to expire at midnight. The contract, which runs through September 2029, was ratified last Friday by the musicians and by the board on Saturday.

“While this settlement required difficult compromises on both sides, it establishes a stable foundation that protects our musicians’ financial security and keeps live symphonic music on the Symphony Center stage,” said William Buchman, CSO assistant principal bassoonist, and chair of the CSO members’ committee. “It ensures we can maintain our legacy of exceptional artistry in a time of uncertainty. Ultimately, this contract represents a shared investment in the long-term viability of our ensemble, keeping our musicians doing the work they love.”

“This is a pivotal moment for the CSOA and the musicians of the CSO,” said Jeff Alexander, CSOA president. “The spirit of cooperation and partnership sustained throughout these negotiations reflects the significant collaboration and mutual respect among the parties.

“This agreement addresses key priorities that serve not only our orchestra and organization, but also the art form and the community we proudly represent,” said Alexander. “I look forward to building on this collaboration with the Orchestra members and the Chicago Federation of Musicians as we support and advance the Orchestra’s legacy.”

“The Chicago Symphony Orchestra continues to stand as a global beacon for the arts, celebrated for its extraordinary artistry,” said CSOA board chair Mary Louise Gorno. “The Trustees applaud the incredible talent our musicians share with audiences locally and worldwide. We are deeply grateful to the negotiation teams for collaborating to finalize this agreement — one that ensures financial sustainability while preserving our standard of artistic excellence.”

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