Locked out SPCO musicians await management's response

It is up to Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra management to make the next move in the contract dispute, said the locked out musicians on Tuesday.

On Monday SPCO management canceled concerts through Feb. 8, and blamed musicians for failing to deliver a counterproposal.

But negotiator for the musicians, Lynn Erickson, said the players are waiting for management to remove proposed changes in artistic control and benefits from its proposal before they will resume negotiating.

"I think we have some pretty creative ideas how to solve the issues both financially and artistically," Erickson said. "We are eager to present them and hope that they are willing to listen and discuss these things, but we have to get back into the room with them."

SPCO President Dobson West responded that the SPCO's deficit is now $900,000. He said the musicians know that it is their turn to make a proposal and that their next offer must address the orchestra's significant financial challenges.

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