Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians vote to authorize first strike in 145 years

Musicians at the Boston Symphony Orchestra voted Saturday to authorize the ensemble's first strike in 145 years.

The Boston Musicians' Association announced the vote before the union 's three-year contract expires at 11: 59 p.m. Sunday.

Tensions rose in March when BSO decided to force out music director Andris Nelsons next summer after 13 seasons.

"In spite of the turmoil of the last six months caused by BSO’s leadership decision to terminate the orchestra’s musical director, Andris Nelsons, they have failed to agree to a collective bargaining agreement that would begin to restore the trust that they have destroyed and offer a fair contract to the musicians who are at the heart and soul of the BSO," the union said in a statement.

Management has not accepted a proposal for a mediator, the union said.

"We respect the musicians’ right to take this step as part of the negotiating process," BSO CEO Chad Smith said in a statement.

"Our focus remains on the negotiations and the ongoing constructive conversations. We are committed to reaching an agreement with competitive pay and benefits that enhances collaboration with the players," Smith said.

Nelson, a Grammy Award-winning artist, began his tenure in Boston at the start of the 2014-2015 season and was appointed Gewandhauskapellmeister in Leipzig in February 2018.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert on October 22, 1881, under Georg Henschel, who remained conductor until 1884. Henschel, a Civil War veteran, envisioned a great and permanent orchestra in his hometown of Boston.

For nearly twenty years, BSO concerts were held in the old Boston Music Hall; Symphony Hall, now one of the world’s most revered concert halls, opened on October 15, 1900