Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Houston Symphony Musicians Ratify New Four-Year CBA

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 65-699 who perform in the Houston Symphony have ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Highlights of the deal include annual wage increases, the addition of three new string jobs and two librarian positions to the orchestra, reimbursement for custom hearing protection, improvements to the audition process, and more.

“We’re proud to have reached an agreement through the collaborative spirit that has long characterized the Houston Symphony,” said Wei Jiang, Houston Symphony acting associate principal violist and bargaining committee chair. “This contract represents a significant step forward for our organization, making meaningful investments in preserving our healthcare, addressing long-standing historical concerns, and strengthening the conditions that support both our artistic excellence and the health and wellbeing of our musicians.”