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Thursday, April 02, 2020

Kennedy Center musicians speak out as entire orchestra is furloughed days after $25 million of bailout funds went to venue

Kennedy Center musicians filed a grievance against the Kennedy Center Tuesday and plan to seek arbitration as they were furloughed after the federal government approved sending $25 million in funding to the performing arts center in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Robert Rearden, 38, who plays the french horn in the National Symphony Orchestra and co-chairs the Orchestra Committee, told DailyMail.com Wednesday that musicians were 'relieved' when the $2.2 trillion stimulus package passed with the measure for the center, anticipating the funds would go to all Kennedy Center staff.

'The $25 million is something that we think is great because it is very clearly outlined in the language of the bill that it is to go toward employees,' Rearden said.

'It's supposed to help all employees – there are many who have been furloughed,' he added, mentioning that the 100 musicians in the orchestra are not the only Kennedy Center employees who have been furloughed.

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think I have seen a bigger criminal cash grab in my 57 years. The Democrats in Congress are shameless hypocrites. This whole thing stinks.

Anonymous said...

Pray tell what was the Kennedy Center supposed to do? Keep these musicians on payroll for weeks or even months with concerts cancelled and audiences told to stay home?

I've seen public employees the last few weeks with absolutely nothing to do getting paid either spending time at home or on do-nothing jobs. If they worked in the private sector they'd would have found themselves furloughed by now.

Anonymous said...

Nancy an the boys at work

Anonymous said...

1037...they made a choice as civil servants. Don't be bitter that their choice maybe better than others.

Anonymous said...

They NEVER should have No damn 25 Million going there to begin with !!!

This sounds like Democrat PORK from Pelosi !!!!

That damn 25 million better be going to OUR Unemployment !!!!

Anonymous said...

Exactly 10:11 !

Anonymous said...

I get the critisism, but why is there any need for an orchestra when there is no audience to perform for? Seems logical that they should be laid off like everyone else.