Choreographed well for an announcement at the Sept. 12 season-opening concert, the San Francisco Symphony and American Federation of Musicians Local 6 reached a tentative three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The new contract is subject to ratification, which is expected.
Additionally, the San Francisco Opera and American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced on Sept. 9 they had reached accord on a two-year labor contract, while the Los Angeles Philharmonic and AFM Local 47 announced on Sept. 12 a four-year contract agreement.
The SF Symphony contract — applied retroactively to Nov. 24, 2024 and ending on Nov. 20, 2027 — keeps the orchestra in the top five highest-paid orchestras in the country. The agreement maintains the starting weekly base salary of $3,450, followed by biannual increases, rising by 15% to $3,960 (a starting minimum annualized salary of $205,920) in the last six months of the contract.
The musicians will also receive a one-time additional payment of $3,450 upon ratification of the contract and an increase to the defined benefit pension, bringing the maximum annual benefit to $89,000 — the industry’s second-highest pension benefit among orchestras in the U.S.
The tentative agreement continues to provide what management calls “generous medical plans with low cost to musicians,” and 10 weeks of paid vacation.
A joint administration-union statement on Sept. 12 said: “The Board of Governors, Musicians of the Orchestra, and Administrative Staff of the San Francisco Symphony share a united vision for the artistic greatness and endless creativity of this organization and will endeavor to work together to sustain and build upon that vision.
“We collectively recognize that the artistic impact of this organization is fueled both by the artistry of our Musicians and by the support of our community. We are all committed to working together to support and grow our connections with patrons, audiences, and our city.”
The SF Symphony’s announcement came after years of intense contract disputes. The previous CBA expired in Nov. 2024, and the orchestra has worked without a contract since. Just a week ago, the union gave notice of a strike authorization and management declared a “Last, best, and final offer.”
David Gaudry, chair of the Musicians’ Negotiating Committee, said the orchestra is “grateful for the renewed commitment and support” from SF Symphony management. Gaudry acknowledged “the economic challenges facing the organization, the importance of long-term fiscal health, and the commitment demonstrated by the Board.”
Matthew Spivey, CEO of SF Symphony said, “[The] agreement provides highly competitive compensation while also acknowledging the importance of our organization’s long-term financial stability. This tentative agreement is a demonstration of the Administration’s faith in the future of the Symphony and the organization’s deep commitment to its musicians and the Bay Area community.”
At SF Opera, following over nine months of negotiations, a new contract with AGMA is retroactively effective from Mar. 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2027. According to the SF Opera administration, the agreement “brings pay increases including equitable pay adjustments, enhanced work-life protections, and new benefits, as well as enhancements to scheduling and audition processes.”
"This agreement reflects the dedication of every AGMA member at San Francisco Opera; we really came together. Solidarity works,” said Sally Mouzon, AGMA's Western Region Vice President, SFO Chorister, and member of the negotiating committee. “It’s about respect for the job we do, a healthy balance between life and work, and ensuring that artists have a real seat at the table as our beloved San Francisco Opera plans for the future.”
The new AGMA contract covers the majority of workers in the War Memorial: principal artists, chorus members, dancers, and production staff. The orchestra at SF Opera has their own AFM Local 6-negotiated contract, running through July 31, 2026. United Scenic Artists Local 829 negotiated and agreed upon a four-year contract for designers, running through July 2029.
In Los Angeles, the new four-year collective bargaining agreement for the LA Philharmonic musicians, ratified on Wednesday, begis Sept. 15, 2025. Details of the contract are yet to be released.
According to the announcement, “The contract includes substantial increases in base wages, substitute pay, and New Music and Chamber Music pay, as well as improved vacation benefits.”
“This is a historic contract for the LA Philharmonic musicians and Local 47,” said Brian Johnson, chair of the orchestra’s negotiating committee.
“It was a good negotiation process, and I enjoyed working with the LA Phil committee and the local union president to agree to contract terms that help further the goals of artistic excellence and demonstrate our respect for the great musicians of the LA Phil,” said Kim Noltemy, president and CEO of the LA Phil.
