CSO contract talks getting down to wire

As the Chicago Symphony Orchestra heads towards the opening concert of its 125th anniversary season Thursday, and the gala Symphony Ball on Saturday evening, contract talks also are moving down to the wire.

Negotiations between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, and the Chicago Federation of Musicians and members of the CSO’s negotiating committee were held all day Sunday and are set to resume today. Also on Tuesday, the musicians are scheduled to begin initial rehearsals for the opening concerts of the 2015-2016 season at Symphony Center under music director Riccardo Muti.

A joint statement issued Tuesday morning by the CSO Orchestra Association and the union and negotiating team stated only that the parties have been engaging in negotiations over a successor agreement to the labor contract that expired at midnight on Sept. 13. It added that “although the parties were unable to reach an agreement before the expiration of the contract, negotiations are ongoing” and “there will be no further comment at this time.”