New Three Year Deal Struck By FWSO Musicians

On July 5, the Musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra ratified a three-year agreement running from August 2025 through July 2028.

The musicians’ stated goal for a successor agreement was to see significant gains in wages, and the negotiations resulted in the largest increase to musicians’ wages in almost 20 years. During the term of the agreement, the yearly FWSO section salary will rise from $62,885 to $70,008 – an overall increase of over 11.3%. While the musicians agreed to a more conservative first-year wage increase, greater gains where achieved in years two and three.  (1.72% in year one, 4.65% in year two and 4.95% in year three).

Addressing rising health costs, a revised healthcare package was agreed upon that included an increase in musicians’ contributions to the company’s PPO plan (with a health reimbursement account) in exchange for improvements to a high-deductible plan (with a health savings account). While the musician’s premium contributions for those on the PPO plan are raised from 7% to 20%, the available high-deductible plans premiums are reduced to 5% and the FWSO will contribute yearly $2,000 to each musician’s health savings account who chooses to be on this plan. In addition, the FWSO will, for the first time, pay 30% of the portion of a premium that covers children.

Updates to work rules and audition procedures will further the artistic progress the organization has been experiencing over the last several years. For example, overscale for Associate Principal and third woodwinds has been established, procedures for constructing sub-lists and hiring timelines have been updated and dress codes have been revised and simplified. In addition, procedures for each round of auditions were clarified, including making distinctions for titled and non-titled positions. Screens will be up for all preliminary and semifinal rounds; final rounds may be screened or unscreened following a vote of the committee and candidate notification.

“It was an important achievement that the FWSO musicians were able to reach an agreement including the largest increases to wages in almost 20 years,” said Local 72-147 President Stewart Williams. “This sets the stage for the continued rise of this great orchestra.”

Many thanks to the FWSO negotiating committee which consisted of Tim Daniels, Chair; Debbie Brooks, Joseph Dubas, Keira Fullerton, Gerry Wood, with Local #72-147 President Stewart Williams, Secretary-Treasurer Aaron Pino, and Attorney Kevin Case.