Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musicians file strike notice

Amid a wave of labour action in B.C., another union is forcing its employer to face the music.

The Vancouver Musicians’ Association (VMA) Local 145, representing more than 70 musicians involved in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), issued a 72-hour strike notice Tuesday.

The VMA says it provided its employer, the Vancouver Symphony Society (VSS), a final offer in mid-July. By the end of the month, the musicians voted 97.4 per cent in favour of job action.

The parties met to negotiate in early September.

Union negotiators reportedly sought wage increases “that will ensure the orchestra remains competitive when attracting and retaining the very best musicians,” and sought to recognize “substantial cuts voluntarily taken” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In contrast, the VSS has made a series of disjointed offers with terms ranging from one to six years in length. Their latest offer, emailed to the musicians’ negotiating committee on September 15, 2025, would see the pay disparity between the VSO and its peer orchestras widen further,” said a VMA statement Tuesday.

The parties were not able to agree on wages.

If the musicians proceed to strike, it would mark the first time in the orchestra’s 107-year history.