Here's tonight's challenge: What is a "Surack"? Chris Darby quotes "Surack" but does not identify him/her. Do you know what a "Surack" is? (heavy sarcasm)
by: Chris Darby
Posted: Dec 10, 2020 / 06:05 PM
EST / Updated: Dec 10, 2020 / 06:05 PM EST
FORT
WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – A continued lack of negotiations between the Fort Wayne
Philharmonic and its musicians has left the future of the orchestra yet to be
seen. While the chairman of the board has called for getting back to talks,
musicians have taken part in picketing to spread the word.
“We’re
trying to bring visibility to our community and to our civic leaders to let
them know of the movement afoot to reduce this orchestra,” Campbell MacDonald
told WANE 15 Thursday.
According
to the Philharmonic, the organization is facing a nearly two million dollar
loss in revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the musicians,
furloughs announced in July were illegal and the Philharmonic is not hurting
for money.
The
musicians have said a new deal introduced in September would cut 63 musicians
down to 15. It would have also cut back on wages and other benefits like health
insurance. Surack said the musicians are welcome back at the table to talk
about how many people can be employed.
“Everybody
is hurting right now,” Surack added. “It’s been a tough year. I just want
nothing more than for the musicians to come back to the table so we can talk to
them and figure out a solution going forward. I just want to have an orchestra
for the next 76 years, just like the last 76 years. I want to hear great music
in our community again.”
“This is
what our lives and our careers are built around,” MacDonald said. “Many of us
moved here. Many of us have families. Many of us have every interest in
maintaining and growing as a part of this community and there’s nothing that we
want more than to be able to work and continue to do that.
Both
the musicians and
the Philharmonic have posted information about the
contract negotiations on their websites.
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