Vanska: Minn. Orchestra must return soon

Published 10:43 am Thursday, August 29, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS — An upcoming Carnegie Hall appearance is putting new pressure on the Minnesota Orchestra’s labor dispute.

Music director Osmo Vanska has said the orchestra must be in rehearsal by Sept. 30 to be ready for the early November concerts.

For that to happen, orchestra management said Wednesday that it would need to reach agreement with its union musicians by Sept. 15.

Email newsletter signup

Vanska said in a letter last April he would resign if Carnegie canceled the concerts because of the labor lockout.

Vanska has said nothing about his plans since the letter.

The musicians have been locked out since contract negotiations broke down Sept. 30.

The union issued a statement saying the musicians have accepted a proposal from former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell while management rejected it.