Richmond Symphony musicians win raises amid labor unrest
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The Richmond Symphony on stage. Image: Courtesy of the Richmond Symphony
Richmond Symphony musicians are getting a nearly 24% salary increase over five years under a newly ratified union contract.
Why it matters: The deal offers rare labor stability as orchestra musicians nationwide push for better pay and working conditions — sometimes through strikes.
State of play: The symphony and its musicians — represented by American Federation of Musicians Local 123 — ratified the agreement last week, per a joint announcement.
- The raise applies to all musicians, with a section musician's base pay for a 39-week contract rising from $42,276 now to $52,424 by the agreement's final year, per Symphony CEO Lacey Huszcza.
- It maintains the orchestra's 69-musician roster and preserves musicians' role in artistic decision-making.
- The deal also expands health insurance coverage, strengthens hearing-loss protections and establishes a more transparent tenure process.
- The contract runs through the 2030-31 season, making it one of the longest in the symphony's history.
What they're saying: Union representatives say the deal and its predecessor have helped restore wage growth after nearly a decade of pay failing to keep pace with the cost of living.
Zoom out: It's been a contentious year for orchestra labor negotiations nationwide.
- Cleveland Orchestra musicians went on strike last month over pay before securing a three-year deal.
- San Francisco Opera musicians also walked out in September before reaching a tentative agreement that ended the strike.
- And this month, Minnesota Opera Orchestra musicians authorized a strike after compensation negotiations stalled.
What we're watching: Whether striking workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden can reach a contract deal as their walkout approaches its third month.