The management of the Quebec Philharmonic Orchestra (OPQ) announced Wednesday the conclusion of a five-year agreement with its musicians. An agreement renewed with the support of 97% of union members after more than a year of negotiations.
Published yesterday at 3:28 p.m.
Among the highlights of this agreement reported by the OPQ, we learn that the salaries of musical staff will be harmonized with those of the Guild of Musicians of Quebec (GMMQ) starting this season, then increased by 3% in 2025-2026 , and 2% the following two years. The pension fund will increase by 7 to 11% by 2028.
The hearing process will also be reviewed, according to management. In particular, we will find more musicians on the audition committee, which will increase from two to five members. Tours and multimedia initiatives will also be better supervised, we learn. Finally, the OPQ will set up a programming committee and a labor relations committee.
“This new agreement is the fruit of a constructive dialogue, a sincere desire for openness and transparency, aspiring together for a harmonious and benevolent climate,” indicated in a press release the new general director of the OPQ, Véronique Bugeaud.
We recall that negotiations between the OPQ and the Musicians’ Guild began a year ago in a stormy context following strong tensions reported by DutyThen The Pressbetween the musicians and the direction of the orchestra, in particular with the conductor-violinist Alexandre Da Costa.
A mediator mandated by the Ministry of Labor intervened at that time. A “success plan” had been signed by both parties in order to “reestablish communication between management and the musicians” and again to “support the performance of the musicians as part of the implementation of the vision of the artistic direction”.
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