The musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra went on strike Monday for the first time in 30 years, rejecting a contract offer they said amounted to a pay cut.
The orchestra, considered one of the finest in the world, voted 99-0 Sunday night to reject a three-year contract offer that would trim health-care benefits and recording royalties.But the board of directors said the musicians demanded impossible terms at a time when classical record sales are slumping and eastern European orchestras are driving down record prices.
The musicians, who are currently are paid a minimum of $75,920, plus a guaranteed $6,000 in royalties, set up a picket line at 7 a.m. at the Academy of Music, where they perform.