Minnesota Orchestra, Musicians Talk Through Mediator

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Orchestra management and musicians have talked through an independent mediator in recent days as deadlines loom over the institution's future amid a long and contentious labor dispute.

Representatives for both the Orchestra's board of directors and locked-out musicians confirmed late Sunday that they had been exchanging information with the mediator, former Senate majority leader George Mitchell. The nearly yearlong lockout has stemmed from management's proposal to trim performers' salaries.

Sunday had been a deadline that management set for a deal in order to fulfill a request from conductor Osmo Vanska. He wanted the orchestra available for rehearsals starting Sept. 30 for a long-scheduled Carnegie Hall performance in November, and said he would resign if those shows must be canceled.

An orchestra spokeswoman did not immediately return a call Monday.