Sept. 29--Representatives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208, have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement with the orchestra members, Allison Beck, director of the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, announced late Monday.
Both parties have agreed not to comment on details of the agreement until both sides have ratified the new contract later this week.
The announcement was the first public indication that a federal mediator was involved in the contract talks. The previous contract between the musicians and the association expired Sept. 13, but the CSO members agreed to perform previously contracted services under music director Riccardo Muti while talks continued.
The tentative contract settlement means that this week's subscription concerts under Muti, beginning Thursday night at Symphony Center, will proceed uninterrupted.
