Manhattan School of Music Ratifies New Agreement With Precollege Division Faculty Union

The five-year contract includes wage increases and raised rates for faculty teaching large ensemble classes

New York City’s Manhattan School of Music has now signed a new five-year agreement with ARTS-MSM (NYSUT), the union representing the MSM Precollege Faculty. 

The third full contract since the Precollege Faculty was first represented by ARTS-MSM in 2009, this new agreement’s terms will run retroactively from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2029. 

This comes after the MSM’s pre-college division launched its first strike in the school’s 100-year history in January this year, after negotiations were stalled for six months after their previous contract’s expiry in August 2024. 

As stipulated in the new agreement, the minimum hourly wage will immediately rise to between $75 and $82, and increase to $100 per hour in the contract’s fourth year. (The $125 minimum hourly wage in the first contract year for teachers whose students pay a tuition surcharge will rise to $150 in the fourth and fifth contract years.)

For Faculty already above the minimum wage, hourly remuneration will grow by $3.50 in the first contract year, and then by 3% annually in each subsequent year. 

Additionally, pay rates for the large ensemble classes were increased based on enrollment caps requested by the ARTS-MSM.

“From early in negotiations toward our third full contract with the Precollege Division Faculty, Manhattan School of Music agreed that wages needed to increase substantially,” said MSM President Dr. James Gandre. “We are pleased to have achieved this fundamental and important goal for our greatly valued Precollege Division Faculty, to contractually reward faculty longevity, and to have addressed other concerns stated by the union. 

“Throughout the negotiating process, MSM proceeded respectfully, intentionally, and honestly, with the priorities of both parties in mind,” he continued. “Now, with the new contract in place, MSM will assess the realities of institutional fiscal responsibility and sustainability, including future tuition levels based on the significant new costs associated with this contract.”

“We are proud to announce that after 10 months without a contract, MSM Precollege teachers will receive long-overdue raises, along with other contractual gains,” ARTS-MSM Co-Vice President Adrienne Kim posted on Facebook. “The newly ratified contract delivers historic improvements to wages and working conditions … [and] safeguards the essential qualities that have made MSM Precollege one of the top preparatory music programs in the country, ensuring continued excellence for students today and in the years ahead.”