By Cy Musiker
The musicians of the San Francisco Symphony have voted to strike next week if there is no progress in contract negotiations.
Negotiations have been going on for eight months, with the two sides far apart on wage and benefit issues. Musicians have been performing since mid-February without a contract.
The musicians say they are angered by an offer that includes wage freezes, cuts in health care benefits and pension changes. Symphony management says its musicians are already among the highest paid in the country.
Violist David Gaudry, who heads the committee negotiating the new contract, said he was shocked at management's first offer.