I would also like to add one small update concerning the orchestra's
current status. Last month I reported that the orchestra rejected a 2
million dollar contract from the government to play at official functions
because it stipulated that the ensemble offer equal employment opportunity
to women. Since then the orchestra has held additional meetings with
government officials and has accepted a 2 million dollar offer.
Unfortunately, the new contract does not contain any clauses that would
obligate the orchestra to use fair employment policies. The State Opera
Orchestra/VPO is still allowed to require photos with its employment
applications, and in the final round of auditions the screen is still
removed so that the orchestra can see what the candidates look like.
Since the government is giving large sums to the orchestra without any
stipulations that would guarantee fair employment procedures, there is no
reason to expect any change. The State Opera Orchestra (which is the same
orchestra as the VPO) is owned and operated by the Austrian Federal
Government. The exclusion of women is thus completely against both
Austrian and European Common Market law.
Three years ago, in the face of massive protest, the VPO said it would
allow women into the orchestra, but when the protest died down they simply
reneged on their agreement. If you live in the New York City area please
join protesters in front of Carnegie on September 29th.
William Osborne
100260.243@compuserve.com
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William Osborne <100260.243@compuserve.com>