San Francisco Symphony’s Chorus Members Go On Strike

The symphony canceled recent concerts due to the chorus’s strike action calling for higher wages

San Francisco Symphony’s (SFS) recent season opener of Verdi’s Requiem was canceled an hour and a half before it was set to start as members of its Chorus went on strike. 

According to the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) — the labor union representing the 32 paid professional singers of the 152-person Chorus — 100% of the chorus voted in favor of the authorization, with 98% of eligible members participating. Further, 81% of the unpaid singers set to perform pledged to honor an AGMA picket line.

Since their collective bargaining agreement expired on July 31, 2024, union members have been negotiating with SFS leadership for higher wages and equitable cuts across the organization since May. 

Chorus members claimed that SFS leadership proposed cutting compensation by 65% and reducing their programs to five per year from up to 11 in past seasons, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.

On September 19, 2024, over 150 musicians and patrons joined the Symphony Chorus, which formed picket lines in front of Davies Symphony Hall an hour and a half before the Verdi Requiem concert was scheduled to begin, and claimed that the strike was a “last resort” decision after negotiation sessions that same day. 

“We tried to get a deal with them today but (Symphony leadership) just went ahead and canceled the entire weekend,” said Anna Peabody, a senior negotiator for AGMA. 

The Chorus rejected SFS’s proposal for a one-year freeze on all contract terms, maintaining current wage levels for the AGMA Chorus members; the compensation was proposed at over $22,000 a year for 26 performances, 53 rehearsals, and 26 warm-up hours at a rate of $131 per hour for performances and $73 per hour for rehearsals. 

“Our latest contract offer to the AGMA members of the SF Symphony Chorus is fair, equitable, and competitive,” SFS management stated. “Our offer to maintain current wage levels reflects our commitment to the Chorus, especially in light of the challenging financial pressures this organization is currently facing. We’ve been transparent about our financial challenges-similar to many other arts organizations since the pandemic-and have been working with our union partners to try to collectively address those realities.

“Our Chorus, and each of its members, are an essential part of the Symphony,” they continued. “We have been engaged in good faith negotiations for a new contract and are extremely disappointed that AGMA has rejected the Administration's contract proposal and decided instead to declare a strike. We're saddened that we've been forced to cancel this week's performances of Verdi's Requiem and deeply regret the inconvenience to our patrons and the many other musicians, visiting artists, and staff that have worked hard to prepare these performances. We are eager to continue working with AGMA, and we are committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible.”

According to SFS, the Administration also tentatively agreed to 12 primarily non-financial contractual changes proposed by AGMA.

“Rather than continuing to rehearse and perform while bargaining, AGMA informed the Administration of their decision to strike this week’s performances of the Verdi Requiem,” wrote SFS in a public statement.

Owing to the strike, the orchestra canceled its three performances of Verdi’s Requiem through September 21, 2024, and confirmed they “will not be rescheduled.”

“Nothing has significantly changed in the Symphony’s financial position from previous years besides the attitude of management toward its core artistic labor. The AGMA Board of Governors and Artists around the country stand firmly behind all the Choristers of the San Francisco Symphony,” said AGMA’s President Ned Hanlon. 

The SF Chronicle added that Symphony Executive Director Matthew Spivey and Board President Priscilla Geeslin have repeatedly cited the organization’s financial issues of budget shortfalls, diminishing donations, and restricted access to its endowment.

Spivey and Geeslin forecast a $12.5 million deficit for the next fiscal year and claim that temporary cutbacks are essential for continued operations. In response, AGMA argued that the cuts unfairly target the Chorus.

As SFS plans to continue negotiations with the union, it announced that no other concerts have been canceled; audience members will have until August 21, 2025, to exchange Verdi Requiem tickets for other concerts, request a refund, or donate the ticket. 

The Verdi Requiem concerts were the first of Music Director Esa Pekka-Salonen’s final season with the orchestra. On September 25, SFS will present its annual opening gala and biggest fundraiser, featuring pianist Lang Lang. 

According to CBS, AGMA stated that the SF Symphony Chorus members will withhold their labor until a fair agreement is reached.