There have been a number of whispered rumblings floating around Western Washington about recent problems within the Federal Way Symphony. Namely, that the musicians have walked out en masse, which rumor has it is due to dissatisfaction over the per-service pay rate. Frantic last-minute phone calls this morning to both myself and a colleague of mine looking for players for this weekend's concerts seems to insinuate that something is amiss. But as all this is, as of now, simply rumor to my ears, I'm wondering if anyone out there has more fundamentally-sound insight into the situation? If there's even a situation? Thanks!

This message from the Local has been sent around:

MUSICIAN ADVISORY:
Musicians approached to perform with the Federal Way Symphony, please be advised that there is currently an employment/contract dispute in progress. While Local 76-493 does not have a collective bargaining agreement with this employer, we, on principle, sympathize with musicians who seek to improve their working conditions and/or wages. Accepting work at this time with the Federal Way Symphony may jeopardize the efforts of your colleagues and fellow musicians to effect substantive change for the better.

No musician left the rehearsal on Monday because of a dispute over money, tenure, recordings, rehearsal length, or any other policy or contractual issue. Two of us left because we were replaced without advance notice and told we had no part assignments and the others who walked out left in solidarity. The situation was so appaling that one of the replacements walked out along with the regular members.

The replaced players had every reason to believe they were engaged to play. Three days before the Monday rehearsal, the personnel manager sent them email that was addressed to "Federal Way Symphony Orchestra players." Management apparently intended to have them show up to rehearsal and face the shock and humilation of being replaced in order to discourage anyone else in the orchestra from disasgreeing or speaking up about chronically poor treatment.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: erict_206,

And may I add, the problems are not related to this one incident. There have been increasing problems since management changed last year, with contracted players being dropped at the last minute for no reason or explanation who were not compensated, and other players (including a principal string player) who were replaced last season exactly the same way - led to believe they were still participating in the concert, then showing up for rehearsal to find they had been replaced and all the humiliation such an experience bestows. Monday night was the last straw. Those of us who walked who had not been replaced refused to tolerate this twisted, highly unprofessional behavior any longer.
We have found since our departure that the management and music director are whitewashing the whole thing and dismissing it as us holding out for higher pay. It's a pathetic attempt to relieve themselves of liability, but it could not be further from the truth.

Many years ago, I played for this group. It sounds like things really haven't changed.

As I recall, the strings were always paid more than the winds and brass and then the string players from any country but the U.S.A. were paid even more. At one memorable rehearsal when our checks were late, we were told (by the "maestro") that we were paid what we were each worth.

Good luck with your battle. Keep posting updates here.

Thanks for the info everyone. After having subbed with this orchestra a couple times over the past year, I had decided not to accept any further invitations due to the manner in which I had been treated (including, yes, being yelled at by said "maestro" during a performance, in front of audience and all...apparently my mezzo piano wasn't to his liking ) A bad situation for many, it appears. This one is a stand worth taking...best of luck, and keep us updated if you can.

It's always tough making the decision to leave a paying gig, but at some point self-respect and the respect of your colleagues must take precedence. I remember even back when I started with FWS 5 or 6 years ago remembering that I always had to keep in mind that I could be kicked out tomorrow based on the conductor's whim of the moment, and not to take it too seriously for that reason. Just to go as long as I could stand it. My colleagues getting nixed after years of superb playing for no other reason than trying to negotiate fair language in the orchestra's contract was where I finally hit my limit. Particularly the cruel, fully intentional method of removing them, designed to expose them to as much embarrassment and humiliation as possible. I knew I did the right thing when I heard about the lies being said about us after we left. And (surprise, surprise) the board has absolutely no interest in getting involved with ANY of these issues. In fact, I was told by one of them to take them off of my mailing list. Ah well....I've discovered recently that many professional musicians in Seattle have no intention of ever returning to play with FWS based on their own experiences over the years. I guess that old adage is true, though we rarely get to witness it firsthand - you reap what you sow.
Fortunately, I already have a paying gig lined up for the next series of concerts I'll miss (better pay, too), and looks like some other opportunities are coming on the horizon - I always take things like that as affirmations. Maybe I'm just superstitious, but it seems when you do the right thing, good things do come out of it. If I hear any future developments, I'll be sure to post them here. Thanks for all your support everyone. All of us who walked Monday very much appreciate it.

I played with the then Federal Way Philharmonic when I was in school in the late 80's. It was a nightmare back then, too. I gave up doing it as it wasn't worth the hassle. I'm sorry that the various abuses have continued - it shouldn't be this way for anyone, anywhere.

Unfortunately, as long as the board is in the conductor's pocket, little will change. What a pity....

Just to update the board on new developments. One of the players replaced by the FWS management has put up a blog detailing the past month's events up through the present. The blog is located at: http://wamalamadingdong.net/

There was also an updated advisory sent out last week from Local 76-493 in Seattle:

From: Local76
Subject: Announcements: October 25
To: Local76
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2007, 5:02 PM

MUSICIAN ADVISORY:

Musicians approached to perform with the Federal Way Symphony, please be advised that there is an ongoing employment/contract dispute in progress.

Musicians have sought to meet with the FWS Board of Directors since May to discuss working conditions and the Symphony's recent contract offer. After rejecting musicians' attempts to communicate with the Board, the Symphony attempted to further silence musicians through
intimidation. At the season opening rehearsal, two long-time orchestra musicians arrived to find they had been replaced without prior notification. After they informed the rest
of orchestra, five additional musicians left the stage in solidarity and more have followed subsequently. These musicians want to play with the Federal Way Symphony; to have fair working conditions; and to meet with the Board to present their concerns.

While Local 76-493 does not have a collective bargaining agreement with this employer, we, on principle, sympathize with musicians who seek to improve their working conditions and/or wages. Accepting work at this time with the
Federal Way Symphony may jeopardize the efforts of your colleagues and fellow musicians to effect substantive change for the better.