San Francisco Symphony musicians petition local businesses for support

By Brent Begin, Bay City News

January 25, 2006

San Francisco Symphony musicians took their contract dispute to the streets yesterday by visiting businesses around Davies Symphony Hall.

In restaurants and shops during a busy lunch hour, employees and patrons both expressed support for the musicians.

"I know you guys because you're always coming in," said David Hardy, a maitre d' at Hayes Street Grill. "You know I support you."

Many diners, including the musicians themselves, frequent the Hayes Valley corridor before heading to the symphony hall or the adjacent War Memorial Opera House.

"I think the symphony has had a huge impact on this area," violinist Melissa Kleinbart said. "People are coming down, more and more earlier, and spending money in the area."

On Monday, the musicians held a "press concert" to protest management's refusal to raise salaries, seniority pay and pensions to the level of competing symphonies from around the country.

The musicians threatened to forego a Far East tour scheduled for early February unless they can work with management to draft a new contract.

Negotiators have also solicited support from Mayor Gavin Newsom's office, hoping a combination of business and political backing will expedite the contract process.

"We want to protect the artistic integrity of this orchestra and its future, so that when that people know there's an opening, they won't hesitate to bring their families here because of the high living expenses," said bassoonist David Gibney.

The symphony musicians have been without a contract since Nov. 26, 2005.

Management released an official statement on Monday in which Brent Assink, the symphony's executive director, wrote, "We are doing our best to find a solution that gives our talented musicians a contract deserving of our stature as one of the top orchestras in the country and also sets a prudent financial course for the future of the orchestra.''

Symphony officials could not be reached for comment today.

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