EarRelevant Staff | 4 SEP 2026
CLEVELAND, Ohio— Musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra voted unanimously on Thursday to authorize a strike if a new labor agreement is not reached by Sept. 23, raising the prospect of a work stoppage at one of the nation’s most prominent ensembles.
The vote followed weeks of bargaining that began in July. The players’ previous contract expired Aug. 30 and was extended through Sept. 23. Negotiations continued Friday.
Union leaders say the orchestra risks losing its competitiveness among the so-called Big Five American orchestras — a group that also includes the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra — if pay and working conditions are not improved. Violinist Elayna Duitman, chair of the musicians’ negotiating committee, said compensation has fallen behind inflation and peer ensembles. “I am astonished that our management believes that the Cleveland Orchestra can attract and retain the world’s best and stay in the top tier of American orchestras without paying the musicians a wage which at a minimum even keeps up with inflation,” she said.
The musicians listed three main demands: wages that keep pace with inflation and compensation at other top orchestras; safer work rules intended to reduce repetitive-motion injuries, especially among string players; and a larger role in auditions and hiring. Duitman said eight positions remain vacant, contributing to concerns about staffing and workload. Leonard DiCosimo, president of Cleveland Federation of Musicians Local 4 of the American Federation of Musicians, said repetitive-motion injuries are a concern among orchestra musicians.
The dispute coincides with music director Franz Welser-Möst’s 25th and final season. Duitman said outstanding issues should not wait for a successor. The orchestra draws about 250,000 people to live concerts each year and maintains education programs in the region, she said.
Management issued a brief statement Thursday: “We continue to negotiate in good faith as evidenced by the extension through September 23 agreed by both sides on September 2. We do not comment on ongoing negotiations, and we do not negotiate in the media.” Last fall, the institution reported a $19,000 surplus on a $66.5 million operating budget and an endowment of about $329 million.
Cleveland Orchestra musicians last struck in 2010. The strike lasted about a day and a half before the musicians and management reached a new agreement following overnight negotiations. Earlier strikes occurred in 1967, 1970 and 1980. A strike authorization does not require an immediate walkout; it gives union leadership the option to call one if talks fail by the extension deadline. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- The Cleveland Orchestra: clevelandorchestra.com
- Cleveland Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 4: afmlocal4.com
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