In last Tuesday’s (10/7) Our Quad Cities News (Rock Island, Illinois), Linda Cook writes, “The Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association (QCSOA) has announced two landmark agreements that underscore the organization’s commitment to artistic excellence, stability, and community impact: a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Musicians, Local No. 137, and a six-year contract renewal with Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith … The QCSOA and the American Federation of Musicians … have reached a … four-year collective bargaining agreement, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Previous agreements have traditionally been three years in length, making this extended term a significant milestone … Highlights of the agreement include: annual pay increases totaling 16.30% over the term for all musicians; increased expense reimbursements for musicians; higher guaranteed service minimums offered annually to all musicians; enhanced working conditions and updates to audition, probationary, and tenure processes…. The QCSO has also renewed its contract with Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith for another six-year term, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2032. This extension will follow his current six-year term, which concludes on June 30, 2026.”
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