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Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, management plan to get back to bargaining table

An independent expert will look at orchestra's finances

The two sides will get back to the bargaining table at the end of this week
The two sides will get back to the bargaining table at the end of this week
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Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, management plan to get back to bargaining table
An independent expert will look at orchestra's finances
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians' strike goes on, but there is a plan in place for both sides to get back to the bargaining table. The big issue between management and the musicians has been an argument over dollars.  Musicians say there are three key items that led to the strike; management requesting they take a 15-percent pay cut, changes to pensions and a freeze on three openings.The musicians say the PSO is overstating its financial issues, that there’s plenty of money and its financial health is fine. Management has called the situation “dire” and say the cuts its asking musicians to take are necessary. Both sides have agreed for an independent actuary to come in and look at the numbers.  The hope is that a report will be compiled by mid to late week, and that will be the basis for the two sides to get back together."It's nonbinding, but still, just having someone from the outside looking at this objectively is going to help, I think, move us forward with the negotiations," said Micah Howard, a musician with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a spokesman for their union.In the meantime, musicians are continuing to play small concerts across Pittsburgh.Sunday night, the pews of East Liberty Presbyterian Church were packed to hear a brass ensemble.  Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra were joined by people from Boston and Philadelphia's symphonies.Those concerts will continue as negotiations go on.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians' strike goes on, but there is a plan in place for both sides to get back to the bargaining table. 

The big issue between management and the musicians has been an argument over dollars.  Musicians say there are three key items that led to the strike; management requesting they take a 15-percent pay cut, changes to pensions and a freeze on three openings.

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The musicians say the PSO is overstating its financial issues, that there’s plenty of money and its financial health is fine. 

Management has called the situation “dire” and say the cuts its asking musicians to take are necessary. 

Both sides have agreed for an independent actuary to come in and look at the numbers.  The hope is that a report will be compiled by mid to late week, and that will be the basis for the two sides to get back together.

"It's nonbinding, but still, just having someone from the outside looking at this objectively is going to help, I think, move us forward with the negotiations," said Micah Howard, a musician with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a spokesman for their union.

In the meantime, musicians are continuing to play small concerts across Pittsburgh.

Sunday night, the pews of East Liberty Presbyterian Church were packed to hear a brass ensemble.  Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra were joined by people from Boston and Philadelphia's symphonies.

Those concerts will continue as negotiations go on.