Olney Theatre, musicians union finally achieve harmony after 16 months of negotiations

When musicians at Olney Theatre Center play “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” in the musical “Evita” this summer, they will do so feeling more like Olney artists, reports The Washington Post. The 78-year-old theater signed its first contract with the local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians on April 19, ending 16 months of labor negotiations. The important thing, Ed Malaga, president of AFM Local 161-710 told the Post, is that “musicians will now be treated as employees of the theater, not independent contractors.” Under the new agreement, Olney’s musicians will receive higher pay, pension contributions, a designated representative to discuss issues with management, and formalized standards on matters such as how long they can rehearse without taking a break.