The musicians in the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra feel as if they are treated like employees. After all, they are told when to show up for performances, what to wear and even when to stand and take a bow. And so they felt they had a right to be part of a union.
Given that Connecticut tends to place a high value on the arts and that it is home to a number of small, professional musical ensembles, it’s no surprise that the matter has been raised before. But for the second time in 10 years, the state Board of Labor Relations has determined that part-time musicians in the nonprofit Waterbury symphony cannot unionize because they fit the definition of independent contractors, not employees.
