As Civic Light Opera (CLO) musicians, we appreciate front-page coverage of our struggle to get our theater to the union bargaining table.

Our effort is firmly rooted in the fine, upstanding American tradition of labor activism and democratic process. About 80 percent of CLO musicians have petitioned the theater for union recognition. Generally, when a majority of workers express support for a union, then even hostile employers are obliged to come to the bargaining table.

Starting in July 1998 we approached CLO in a friendly way. Every month, between then and the strike, we encouraged the theater to engage in win-win discussions with us. At that time, we were fully prepared to resolve issues like inconsistent pay practices and "independent contractor" status in a cooperative manner.

They refused to come to the bargaining table. CLO's unrelenting refusal to negotiate left us with no reasonable alternative than to strike.

To add insult to injury, the CLO board has described us as "rusty, far-from-professional amateur" musicians to the local press. We are all professional musicians. Most of us have college degrees, some advanced degrees, in music. Many of us play professionally at The Village Theater, the 5th Avenue Theater, and the Paramount Theater.

We would like to resolve this situation. We would prefer not to strike, but that's what we will continue to do until the theater begins to negotiate a union contract with us. We have called upon the theater to engage in federal mediation sessions with us prior to the next production, "The Boyfriend."

We are planning to strike CLO's "The Boyfriend" starting Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at 11051 34th Ave. NE if we cannot resolve the situation beforehand. Please join us on the picket line. For updates, call our strike hotline: 206-729-4779, or check our website, http://members.xoom.com/local76.

M. BALDONADO - reeds - 4+ yrs,
BILL BRANVOLD - trombone - 11 yrs,
JOHN GUYER - reeds - Rags,
JUDY STOFFEL LOEWEN - bassoon - 4+ yrs,
MARGARET OLSON - Concertmistress - 19 yrs,
LYNN SITTON - bass - 4+ yrs,
KEITH BAGGERLY - trumpet - Rags