Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and its Musicians Reach New Five-Year Agreement

The players will receive a 4.1% increase in contractual fees over the next two years, as well as a range of other benefits

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) recently announced that they signed a new collective agreement — which will bind the orchestra and its players for a further five years.

The agreement covers five years' worth of non-monetary clauses, and the two committees have reached an agreement on salary increases over the next two years. Players will receive annual increases in contractual fees to a total of 4.1%, and will also receive an increase in seniority bonuses.

In addition, the agreement makes improvements to auditions, as well as access to tenure, work and services schedules, tours, sick leave, and pension plans — though the details of these changes are not public.

Both parties agreed that the negotiations showed a high level of respect and openness across the board and that the new agreement benefits all stakeholders equally.

"This successful outcome of our collective negotiations assures a stability reflecting harmonious relations within the Orchestra and will preserve an environment conducive to the artistic excellence that has characterized the OSM since the beginning," said Lucien Bouchard, the Chairman of the OSM Board.

"It is very good news for audiences, patrons, sponsors, and other partners of the Orchestra’s extensive community," he continued. "Such solid foundations are what will ensure the OSM’s development and further its national and international profiles."

"We are pleased that we have come to a satisfactory agreement with the Administration and we are confident that we will work together moving forward in these challenging times to ensure that the OSM continues to maintain a vital presence in the artistic community both here at home and on the international stage," said Edward Wingell, OSM bassist and President of the musicians’ negotiation committee.