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Mike Hess

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commenter for
12 weeks 4 days

Recent Comments

Posted on 04/26/13 at 08:51 am in response to The only path to settlement: Orchestra musicians, board members must negotiate

Following the back and forth of these negotations this is a bit confusing - the entire letter is about the financial sustainability of the orchestra and a call to negotiate. Yet the management proposal to the musicians contains many, many work condition and artistic direction changes that go beyond finances. If the crux of the issue is financial, why the many changes to working conditions?

Also management positioned the current financial offer as a "final offer" prior to...

Posted on 04/11/13 at 07:54 pm in response to Michael Henson, MN Orchestra president: It’s time for musicians to negotiate

"MP: The MOA states it has reduced costs by 6 percent over the last 10 years, but you are asking the musicians for a 32 percent cut. Is this fair?

MH: I would look back to the last five years. Our musicians have received a 19.6 percent increase. Effectively, our staff have been frozen over that period, so yes."

Here is a simple math view - if you start at 100, and reduce costs 6%, you are at 94%. But if you start at 100, go up 19.6%, and then go down 32%, you end up at 81.3...

Posted on 02/22/13 at 04:00 pm in response to Political leaders' unusual silence speaks volumes about the complexities of orchestra lockouts

I'm really disturbed by the cynical comments attributed to Mr. Henson. To suggest that Minneapolis does have a standing in this issue because it does not pay directly for the MO when the city supported and prioritized the lobby renovation (over other civic opportunities) so the Mayor doesn't have a place in sponsoring a celebration is insulting. The fact that management and most of the board boycotted the concert is insulting. This correspondance reveals little intent to collaboratively...