SF Opera Orchestra on strike and walking a picket line

SF Opera Orchestra on strike and walking a picket line

SF Opera Orchestra are union members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 6.

By Lynda Carson - September 15, 2026

At a time when the convicted felon President Donald J. Trump regime is imposing huge tariffs that make it much more harder on musicians, the management of SF Opera are demanding that the musicians take a whopping 26 percent pay cut.

Reportedly, “Recent U.S. tariffs and global trade shifts have raised import taxes on musical instruments to an average effective rate of over 16%, driving up consumer prices for imported guitars, amplifiers, and parts from major manufacturing hubs like Mexico, China, and Europe. The tariff pain has not fallen equally on different instrument classes. Pianos and acoustic keyboards, strings (violins, cellos, etc.), wind (horns, reed instruments), and parts and accessories saw the steepest increases in tariff burdens, with effective rates for each more than tripling.”

Reportedly on September 13, 2026, in the SF Classical Voice, “SF Opera and the American Federation of Musicians Local 6, the union representing the SF Opera Orchestra musicians, did not reach an agreement in time for last night’s Sept. 12 opening performance of Simon Boccanegra. As a result, the SF Opera Orchestra went on strike and picketed outside the War Memorial Opera House.

The strike announcement from the union came a half an hour before the curtain was to rise at 8 p.m. Until General Director Matthew Shilvock spoke from the stage at 7:52, the opening-night audience did not know what's happening. Shilvock, announcing the cancellation, told the audience that the company would be in touch about options to donate the value of their seats, hold the credit for a future performance or receive a full refund. 

“You do not need to do that immediately,” Shilvock said. “We’ll also be in touch and keep you posted as we learn more about the orchestra strike.” At the time, thousands awaited word from the negotiations — War Memorial has a seating capacity of 3,000, plus hundreds of performers in the cast, chorus, and orchestra among stagehands, ushers, and security.”

The SF Opera Orchestra are union members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 6.

On September 12, 2026, the SF Opera Orchestra released the following statement:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the musicians of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra are on strike and we will not be performing at tonight's Opening Night. A strike is not something we take lightly, and we are deeply sorry to everyone who planned to spend this evening at the opera. We have been clear throughout these negotiations that management's offers were insufficient, and that without a fair contract we would have no choice but to stop work. Management's insistence on cuts has left us no other option.

Our contract expired on July 31. We came into these negotiations months ago expecting to build on the modest agreement we reached two years ago. Management instead initially proposed a 26% pay cut, which would have returned us to 2015 wages, and later "improved" that offer to a 20% cut. Coming into today, their latest proposal was a five-year wage freeze, which, factoring in inflation, is equivalent to roughly a 20% cut over the life of the contract. All of this at a time when San Francisco rents are surging to the highest in the nation.

Despite our efforts to negotiate in good faith, cuts have remained their answer to every proposal we have made. Our ask is simply to keep pace with the local cost of living, much like the recently announced contract for the city's public sector unions.

And while management insists that the musicians take a pay cut, the same standard does not seem to apply to the Opera’s executives. The General Director's salary rose 72% between the 2022 and 2025 fiscal years, from $424,000 to $729,000, according to the company's public filings.

The San Francisco Opera is not a company in trouble. By management's own account, and by the financial information they have shared with us:

Six productions have sold out in the past three years.

Ticket sales and subscriptions are rising. Donations have increased by $8 million compared to last year, exceeding the Opera's stated goals by $2.2 million.

In addition to recent high-profile gifts, the number of "Producers Circle" donors, who contribute over $100,000 per year, has more than doubled since the pandemic.

There are several structural ways for the Opera to address its operating deficits without squeezing its artists, none of which they appear willing to explore. We are holding the line for a fair contract not only for our current musicians, but so that the Company can attract and retain top talent for years to come. If we are not competitive with our peer orchestras, we cannot expect exceptional talent to accept a lower paying position in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

There is nowhere we would rather be tonight than in the pit. We ask management to return to the table in good faith, prioritize reaching a fair contract, and provide the stability and certainty that the company needs to continue its positive trajectory.

If you want to help, write to the San Francisco Opera at PatronServices [at] sfopera.com and tell them what this season means to you.”

According to the San Francisco Opera, “Since 1981 when the San Francisco Opera and Symphony orchestras split, the tenured Musicians of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra have been employed on a seasonal basis, guaranteed around half a year of work and vacation by the Opera. For the last 20 years, they have been guaranteed 24 weeks of work, full-year family health benefits, 4 weeks of vacation and a number of additional fees.

For those 24 weeks, a base section Musician receives $118k of compensation. Additional seniority pay takes effect in the third year of service. Musicians in titled chairs receive higher wages, up to double the minimum compensation rate.”

San Francisco Rent Statistics

According to Zillow, the average rent in San Francisco, CA is $4,832. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, CA is $4,440 per month. The average rent for a studio apartment in San Francisco, CA is $2,775 per month.

Considering the high rents in SF, Trump’s tariffs, a 3.4% increase in inflation in August, and 27.4% increase in gas, at the same time the SF Opera wants the orchestra musicians to take a 26% pay cut, many musicians residing in San Francisco may be forced to move as a result, and may be placed at risk of homelessness in the process.

Just try to imagine a bunch of newly made poor musicians working in the SF Opera orchestra pit who may be struggling to avoid homelessness, and cannot afford to buy some new strings for their cellos, violas, and violins anymore after taking a 26% cut in wages. Meanwhile Matthew Shilvock (CEO/general Director of SF Opera) raked in a whopping $729,130 plus $45,839 in other compensation in 2025.

This may not appear to be very fair to the struggling musicians walking a picket line lately who are expected to entertain the wealthy elite in San Francisco at the SF Opera. Especially when they have to pay for the repairs of their instruments, or replace them when needed in such hard times.

Additional information about the San Francisco Opera a.k.a. San Francisco Opera Association

According to the 990 tax filing public records, in 2025, after subtracting their liabilities from their assets, the SF Opera had net assets or fund balance of $329,814,888. Matthew Shilvock (CEO/general Director) raked in a whopping $729,130 plus $45,839 in other compensation. Eun Sun Kim a.k.a. Caroline H. Hume (music Director) raked in $561,728 plus $28,609 in other compensation, and Michael Simpson (Managing Director) raked in $391,002 plus $42,930 in other compensation.

COVID PPP Loans

Reportedly, SF Opera Association received a $2,000,000 government loan that was forgiven in Oct. 2021, plus a loan for $8,911,232 that was forgiven on June 29, 2021.

Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com

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