On our summer trip last year, I was amused when we drove across “Nameless Creek” Indiana because by calling it that, it actually gave it a name! Just as ironic was to read that the CEO and President of the Grand Rapids Symphony Peter Kjome had “no comment” when asked a pertinent question relating to their staff salary cuts and how it would impact the musician’s agreement, and then he promptly commented!……
In an article that appeared Monday in the Grand Rapids Press, it was reported that in order to balance the budget at the Grand Rapids Symphony, staff salaries had been reduced and 401K contributions were suspended. Faced with a shortfall and/or a deficit this was I’m sure a hard decision to make but rather than lay people off it was probably the only option and one cannot fault them for this. The musicians it seems though, were not part of the overall discussion to strategize for the Orchestra’s financial future and they (possibly inadvertently) have been put in an uncomfortable position. Here are 2 quotes from the article:
The orchestra’s musicians, who work under a collective bargaining contract, are not subject to the cutbacks that took effect last week…..
and
Contract negotiations are expected to begin soon for the 2009-10 season.
Kjome, who was appointed president last August, would not comment (my emphasis) on whether he’ll ask the union to reopen the current collective bargaining agreement.
“But it may be mutually beneficial to modify it,” he said.
I would say that is a comment! It seems that he (CEO Peter Kjome) does want the musicians to re-consider their agreement, but to announce it through the press before talking to the musicians in private is probably not the best strategy to start a good faith negotiation. It puts a lot of pressure on the musicians to respond publicly, and it’s my hope that they don’t, even though it seems they’ve been called out. The press might be a good information tool, but it’s not a good communication tool!
From the start the musicians could have been part of the process to come up with an overall strategy, instead of excluding them and announcing a half strategy. Or, maybe announce that the board didn’t consider cutting musicians pay as something they felt necessary, or how about talking to them first before announcing anything? It feels like what he’s saying is : we are the heroes, your turn!
Especially in these times it’s important to move together on issues that impact an Orchestra’s future. I hope he reaches out to them soon, because as someone who has been with the organization for only a short time, he needs to trust that the musicians have the best interests of the organization at heart, and realize that they have a much more vested interest at this point in its success, so that they can trust that he will be an effective administrative leader and advocate. Right now it may be his job, but for nearly all of them, it has been their life!
It might be worth having a little more knowledge on the subject before spewing forth. Kjome’s life was the Grand Rapids Symphony before medical issues forced a decision to leave his position as Principal Oboe of the orchestra for a highly successful career in business. To have a president with the heart of a musician and the mind of a businessman is a dream of many orchestras around the world! Mr. Kjome cares deeply about the orchestra and each and every musician, and has acted with only respect towards both the orchestra and its contract. He works tirelessly and attends almost every concert that the orchestra gives, dependably supporting the musicians at every turn. He certainly does not deserve an attack based on assumptions such as yours.
Chibi: I think your complaint actually justifies what I interpreted as Ron’s point. Regardless of personal feelings and/or relationships, stakeholders watching the scenario unfold only see what is reported. As such, espousing collaboration that complies with well established best practices in this business and reviewing information made public in an established media source like the Grand Rapids Press is not only reasonable but commendable. If Kjome’s statements were taken out of context or misrepresented by the GR Press, articles such as Ron’s help shed light on that fact. Add to that providing means for individuals such as the two of us to contribute our perspective in an unedited, civil, and respectful manner will only help elevate the tone of the discussion.
The business has been littered with labor situations agitated by flawed processes as of late and intentions notwithstanding, the results are nearly predictable. Issuing public statements as Kjome did without first approaching the elected musician representatives via established protocol is an unfortunate error of judgment. Granted, this isn’t something they teach in arts administration programs (although they should) but for an executive with professional orchestral performance experience, the decision to engage the process in this way is even more puzzling. From an arts administration perspective, Kjome’s approach fails to acknowledge historically proven hallmarks of successful concessionary bargaining. Hopefully, he and the board will recognize and own up to their misjudgment and proceed in better fashion. Articles, such as Ron’s, that shed light on a flawed process during its initial stages help keep all stakeholders focused and on track.
Personally, I feel bad for staff members since the article makes it clear that the organization’s financial situation is known but Kjome decided to keep that information confidential. It certainly isn’t fair to those individuals to have a pay cut forced upon them without verification that to do otherwise would put the organization in great financial jeopardy and if the organization is in a place to maintain positive cash flow without implementing those cuts then why not wait until collective bargaining negotiations commence and this process can be addressed equally. Using staffers as a sort of metaphorical financial human shield only sows seeds of an “us-against-them” attitude and institutional bitterness.
Ultimately, and as Ron pointed out, setting the tone for negotiations by playing coy in the press – regardless of intentions – as opposed to an established and contractually defined internal communication process places unnecessary pressure on the elected musician representatives and spokesperson(s). Worst of all, it diminishes opportunities to rally stakeholders together to weather economic strife. Perhaps the Grand Rapids Press did misinterpret Kjome’s remarks. If so, I feel confident that he’ll issue a press release detailing those misinterpretations after meeting with the player’s committee and getting back on the path of good governance.
Drew McManus