The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has agreed to keep paying orchestra workers who had their pay cut because of the coronavirus shutdown.
The Kennedy Center sparked outrage from many after announcing that National Symphony Orchestra players would not be paid while the center is shut down just days after receiving $25 million in the coronavirus economic relief package. On Tuesday, the union representing the orchestra announced that the parties reached a deal to keep workers paid throughout the shutdown.
As part of the agreement, workers represented by the District of Columbia Federation of Musicians will take a temporary pay cut for the remainder of the shutdown, and all employees agreed to a wage freeze until the end of the year. The union noted in an email to members that it believes it was illegal for the center to breach bargaining agreements during the shutdown.
“That action [the furlough] was not permitted under our collective bargaining agreement,” the union explained in the email, which was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. “In recognition of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Kennedy Center, however, we have agreed to modify our collective bargaining agreement to make substantial economic concessions.”
The union filed a collective bargaining grievance against the center for failing to notify employees six weeks before paychecks were halted but agreed to drop the grievance as part of the payment deal. The Kennedy Center noted that the agreement would save the center $2.5 million in payroll expenses.
“This is an unprecedented time for all of us here in D.C. and around the world,” said Deborah F. Rutter, the president of the Kennedy Center. “The severe economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have unfolded at an incredibly rapid pace, requiring all of us to work together and demanding the highest levels of strategic and creative thinking to solve our problems in the long-term. We are grateful to the musicians of the NSO for partnering with us and that, together, we have found a way forward.”
The original decision to furlough workers without pay after receiving $25 million from the federal government was condemned by many, including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise. Scalise joined other Republicans in backing legislation that would require the center to repay the $25 million after it stopped paying the staff.
