End the Minnesota Orchestra Lock Out

As a lover of the Minneapolis arts community and as candidate for Ward 13 City Council, I am dismayed by the current situation of the Minnesota Orchestra. The mediation between the musicians and management has not progressed and now, Orchestra conductor Osmo Vanka will leave unless a deal can be reached by Sunday. Management must step up to the plate and immediately work within the process established by former Senator George Mitchell.

I grew up in a union family and I know the value of collective bargaining. The musicians have made good faith attempts to negotiate but management has not been transparent in their decision making or financial status.

The City of Minneapolis has supported the Orchestra time and time again. The City has recently lobbied for state bonding money for the renovations of Orchestra Hall, with the promise of functioning world-class musical space. But it is specifically the musicians that make the Minnesota Orchestra world-class. Now it is time for management to do what’s best for the community.

I stand with many officials that have urged the parties to cooperate. It is time to end the lockout of the musicians, accept the Mitchell proposal, and move forward.