Molly SasseCSO signs pact with musicians
The union that represents musicians of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera has signed a new 2-year contract that provides a 2 percent wage increase with no cuts in the size or scope of the orchestra.
The new agreement was announced Monday by Local 80 of the American Federation of Musicians, which represents most of the nearly 200 musicians that perform each season for the orchestra. The pact is the first two-year contract since 2008 and maintains the number of rehearsals and performances and the number of musicians as in previous years.
"We are delighted to reach this agreement, especially in light of the continuing bad news from other orchestras," said Molly Sasse, CSO Executive Director. Sasse said while the orchestra had deficits for the past two seasons, the size of the deficit dropped significantly last year.
Taylor Brown, principal bass for the CSO and orchestra representative, said the musicians "are pleased with the outcome"of the most recent negotiations. "We know the board and management are working hard to overcome the past seasons' deficits by raising new funds and moving forward in a positive direction," he said.
Georgia is 'Camera Ready'
The Georgia Department of Economic Development said Monday that all 159 Georgia counties have been designated "Camera Ready" to offer community-based production assistance program for film and televison production.
Gov. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., said the film and TV production industry already helps employ 77,900 Georgians.
The state's Camera Ready Community Program was established in 2010 to help develop and sustain the burgeoning film and television industry by offering production companies access to local resources and information. The program is a special designation given to participating Georgia communities interested in cultivating and attracting the entertainment industry. Camera Ready communities name liaisons who can assist film and television production companies on a local level.
"When we began this program four years ago we had 16 communities certified as Camera Ready," said Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office Deputy Commissioner Lee Thomas. "With every county prepared to assist the film industry, Georgia is better equipped to welcome and serve more productions statewide."
The film industry continues to thrive in Georgia with more than 158 feature film and television productions shot during FY14, with a combined production spend of $1.4 billion.