The New York Philharmonic and the musicians’ union have reached a new collective bargaining agreement that will see a 30% pay raise over the next three years. The agreement, negotiated with Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, will entail raises of approximately 15% in 2024-25, and 7.5% in each of the following two years, reaching a base pay of $205,000 by the end of the deal in 2026-27.
The new contract is set to be ratified on Friday and will be effective from Saturday through September 20, 2027. The previous four-year contract, which included pay cuts due to the pandemic, was scheduled to expire this week.
Currently without a music director for the first of two seasons, the New York Philharmonic bid farewell to Jaap van Zweden at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. Gustavo Dudamel is slated to take over in 2026-27. Additionally, the orchestra is on the lookout for a new CEO after Gary Ginstling’s sudden departure in July following a year in the position.