The Latest: Management says Pittsburgh symphony $20M in debt

PITTSBURGH – The Latest on the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians’ strike that started Friday (all times local):

12:40 p.m.

Management says the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is more than $20 million in debt, leading them to ask musicians to take a 15 per cent pay cut that has prompted a strike. Union members also are balking at pension changes and unspecified staffing cuts they say management is proposing.

The union says the consequences of those cuts would be “severe and immediate” and result in musicians leaving and an inability to attract top-notch players.

But symphony management says the orchestra is running a $1.5 million annual deficit and faces more than $20 million in cumulative debt over the next five years — including a pension shortfall of at least $10 million.

The strike has cancelled this weekend’s pops concerts featuring “The Music of John Williams,” the composer of scores for “Jaws,” ”Star Wars” and other blockbusters.

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10:20 a.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians are on strike after unanimously rejecting calls for a 15 per cent pay cut, changes to their pension plan and staffing cuts they say management is proposing.

The union says the consequences of those cuts would be “severe and immediate” and result in musicians leaving and an inability to attract top-notch players. They began striking Friday.

Symphony management didn’t immediately respond to request for comment.

The musicians have agreed to concessions in the past, most recently a nearly 10 per cent pay cut in 2011.

Symphony President Malia Tourangeau said last month the orchestra is losing $1.2 million for its Broadway series because its contract with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is expiring along with a donor’s contributions.

The orchestra is projecting a nearly $1.6 million deficit this season.