Minnesota Orchestra Talks Break Off Again

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Another attempt to break the long impasse in the Minnesota Orchestra lockout has failed.

Both sides say back-channel talks broke off after they were unable to agree on how to move forward. The last meeting was Monday.

Doug Kelly, one of the two management negotiators, says his side floated the idea of a reconciliation task force to discuss a vision for the future of the organization.

But one of the two musicians' representatives, Tom Zavadil, says management just kept going back to talking points.

The musicians have been locked out for more than 13 months. Managers say they need substantial cost reductions from the musicians' contract to make the orchestra financially viable into the future. Musicians say lower wages will send talented players elsewhere.