For the first time in more than 100 years, musicians at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra have issued strike notice after failing to reach a deal with their employer.

That means musicians could walk off the job this week unless an agreement is reached with the Vancouver Symphony Society.

The Vancouver Musicians’ Association, the union representing the musicians, said members were more than 97 per cent in favour of authorizing a strike against the VSS. The union and company have been bargaining since April.

The 2025-2026 symphony season began on Sept. 12.

According to the union, the VSS cites a lack of financing as their argument for keeping musician and artistic spending low. It argues that VSO salaries remain far below that of their colleagues in Canada’s other major orchestras.

The a

See Full Page