In the dispute over better working conditions and a collective agreement, the city of Bad Kissingen and the local spa orchestra have come to an agreement. “There is no collective agreement, but common rules that apply to everyone and have been accepted by everyone,” said a spokesman for the city administration on Tuesday. The agreement was reached with the “absolute majority of the orchestra”, but according to the mayor Dirk Vogel (SPD) without the participation of the German Orchestra Association. The agreement corresponds “essentially” to an offer that was already available at the end of September, said the city spokesman. “It was sharpened a bit again.” At that time, the Staatsbad-GmbH had offered the orchestra a significantly improved salary structure and a significant reduction in working hours.
The long-smoldering dispute between the spa orchestra and the Bayerische Staatsbad Bad Kissingen GmbH had recently culminated in a flash mob solidarity concert by other ensembles in the city. The musicians in Bad Kissingen had complained about difficult working conditions and demanded a collective agreement with fair salaries. They would also have to work on the stage or in the orchestra library, although they would need enough time to practice. The payment is at the lowest end of the tariff rates generally applicable in Germany.
The city, along with the Free State of Bavaria, has always refused to enter into a collective bargaining agreement. Collective bargaining for the entire orchestra cannot be conducted because of different employers. Now a solution has been found, “which takes into account the general conditions of the company and at the same time recognizes the commitment of our orchestra members”, said the spa director Sylvie Thormann and Lord Mayor Vogel.