JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The labor dispute between the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Musicians Union is entering a new phase.
The Jacksonville Symphony Association announced Friday that the National Labor Relations Board Regional Office in Tampa is issuing a complaint containing allegations of bad faith bargaining by the Jacksonville Symphony Association during it's recent collective bargaining negotiations with the Union representing the Symphony's musicians.
The Symphony says the complaint is allegations based on charges filed by the Union. They say the complaints are not a finding by the NLRB that the symphony is violating the law.
A hearing will be scheduled at a later date giving both parties the opportunity to present evidence and make arguments. "We welcome this opportunity to fully present our side of the story," said Richard Pierpont, the Symphony Association's Chair, "We are confident the Judge will conclude that the Symphony has bargained in completely good faith. Of course, we still want to reach agreement with the Musicians and their Union and will continue to make every effort to do so."
Both the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the Musicians Union have been disputing over money and a proposed 20% pay cut for musicians. In September, the Symphony's Board of Directors declared an impasse. The Union claims the Labor Relations Board has a problem with the timing of the impasse among other issues.
