Musicians say California Philharmonic has failed to pay them

Musicians with the California Philharmonic say the orchestra hasn’t paid them for concerts that took place this summer, leading them to take action against management. The union representing the musicians has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board saying that the orchestra has failed to compensate its players and contribute to benefits.

The Professional Musicians Local 47 said that the players have not been paid for three sets of concerts this year. A spokesman for the NLRB said that the case, which was filed in August, is being investigated.

In a letter sent to The Times, a group of musicians from the orchestra said that they are still waiting to get paid. “As freelance musicians, we get paid as we work. In this economy, every single dollar and gig counts,” the group letter said.

Officials with the Cal Phil issued a statement Tuesday saying that “everyone is working to make sure payments are made.” The orchestra said it has met with the union and that together, they have “amicably put a payment plan in place.”

A representative for the Local 47 said that the payment plan is only a unilateral proposal by the management of the orchestra and that no official agreement has been reached.

The Cal Phil, which debuted in 1997, is a mid-sized orchestra employing about 70 freelance musicians for concerts. The orchestra performs classical and pops concerts at venues around the county, including the Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia and El Molino Viejo in San Marino.

An official with the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden said that the orchestra has failed to pay for the use of the grounds for two concerts that took place last year. Richard Schulhof, chief executive officer of the Arboretum, said the orchestra hasn’t paid for concerts on Aug. 6 and 20, 2011.

Schulhof said that the Arboretum is pursuing payment, but declined to elaborate. The Cal Phil was formerly the resident orchestra of the Arboretum until it lost its place to the Pasadena Pops last year.

The Cal Phil said in its statement that moving out of the Arboretum “put a strain” on the orchestra’s finances.

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