The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra has announced that Doug Gerhart from the Sioux City Symphony will become the orchestra's new executive director. And he definitely needs to hit the ground running.
Gerhart arrives as the WCO and its 34 musicians are hammering out a new contract. The negotiations, which began last month, are tackling everything from travel reimbursement to how many rehearsals and concerts musicians are required to make each year. Right now, the two sides are covering minor issues, says the musicians' spokesperson, Todd Jelen, the orchestra’s principal bassoonist. But the bargaining is apt to become contentious in the near future.
Money for travel is a major concern, says Jelen, who drives to Madison from his home in Akron, Ohio, to make orchestra events. He figures his own reimbursement works out to 3 cents a mile, noting that the top payment to players coming from more than 100 miles away (about a third of the orchestra) is $30.
"We're asking for a gradual increase to the IRS's scale over the next three years," says Jelen. "Certainly something that acknowledges how far we're driving."
With the IRS currently allowing taxpayers to calculate deductions at 50.5 cents per business mile, he admits the issue may prompt some very tough negotiating.
Better pay for so-called subs and extras is also a major issue. Jelen says that, at present, musicians who either substitute for regular WCO players or are employed for programs that require a different orchestra complement are paid as little as 50% of what contract members of the orchestra receive.
"Several of our extra musicians, such as our harp and our tuba player, have been with the orchestra for up to 20 years," he says. "We want them included in our contract, if not the bargaining sessions."
Although they're far apart on the key issues, Jelen is hopeful that the musicians and management can agree on a new contract before the current one expires at the end of August. On the other hand, he says that by bringing in a negotiator from Foley & Lardner, one of the state's most powerful law firms, WCO management has signaled that it means to "play hardball."
Could the deadlocked negotiations lead to a strike? Yes, says Jelen, but he hopes it doesn't come to that.
WCO management doesn't want a strike either. "We're certainly very hopeful," says deputy executive director Martha Scales, who adds that it's still very early in the bargaining process. "We had very strong contracts five years ago, and we're certainly very hopeful that we'll be able to negotiate a strong contract that will be beneficial to both management and to the players."
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