CLICK FOR UPDATED ARTICLE FROM DECEMBER 2024 ISSUE OF ALLEGRO

This is a guest commentary provided by the ARTS-MSM union

Since we last reported on the situation on October, the faculty of Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege division has still been working without a contract since the beginning of the semester.  After refusing to put an offer on the table for the entirety of the summer, the administration continues to drag its feet in contract negotiations as the third month of the school year begins.

Precollege faculty at the Manhattan School of Music are represented by ARTS-MSM, a local of New York State United Teachers. (A significant number are also members of Local 802.) From the outset, ARTS-MSM has made the simple demand that the school meet basic industry standards regarding faculty wages. This is not only in the best interest of teachers but also of the institution, as the retention and recruitment of top-tier faculty is vital to the ongoing success of this highly regarded preparatory program. In the face of the escalating cost of living crisis since the previous contract was enacted seven years ago, it is unconscionable for the administration to tell its highly qualified faculty that they need to accept a raise of just a few dollars an hour this year or that locking in pay rates that remain 50 percent below those of peer institutions like Mannes Prep and Juilliard’s MAP programs is defensible.  In fact, in their most recent offering, the administration put forward an increase in the minimum hourly pay rate that would only benefit three teachers out of a faculty of 150!

The administration also continues to make egregious demands that would directly harm students’ education, such as substantial increases in class sizes. (Imagine trying to effectively teach a class of 16 eight-year olds sight-singing!)  In addition to insisting that teachers be compensated fairly, ARTS-MSM is also holding the line against proposals that are detrimental to students and the quality education that they deserve.

There continues to be an outpouring of support for MSM’s Precollege faculty as negotiations continue, including weekly gatherings in front of the school, signatures on our online petition of support, and myriad creative actions directed at the administration.  Recently, members of the precollege community wrote personal notes (on musical note-shaped stationary!) to the MSM administration, asking why teachers still didn’t have a contract. (See photos at top of story.)  Parents, students, alumni, and the broader community of musicians have all made clear that there is only one path forward here: a decent contract for these hardworking musicians that meets basic industry standards.

Thank you for your support!

In solidarity,

ARTS-MSM

Adam Kent, President

David Friend, Interim Co-Vice President

Adrienne Kim, Interim Co-Vice President

Elena Belli, Treasurer

Karen Rostron, Secretary

Please support MSM Precollege faculty:

• Sign the petition
• Follow the MSM union on Instagram
• Write an email to MSM President Gandre