Striking Pittsburgh Symphony cancels shows through Nov. 18
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has canceled all concerts through Nov. 18, including the Light Up Night Community Concert that evening that is part of the city’s traditional holiday shopping season kickoff.
The orchestra had previously canceled concerts through Oct. 27 after the musicians went on strike Sept. 30.
In dueling news releases, the orchestra and management can’t even agree on why the concerts have been canceled.
Management says the musicians’ union hasn’t contacted it “through official channels” to resume contract talks. The union says the decision to cancel the concerts was made by “management alone.”
The musicians are objecting to a 15-percent pay and other concessions management says it necessary to keep the symphony solvent in the face of more than $20 million in debt over the next five years.