A strike by the Philadelphia Orchestra could cripple the organization and severely hurt other Center City businesses. Moreover, a work stoppage seems purely unnecessary, given the other options available. “Neither side need surrender – simply stay at the table and hammer out what they both say they want: a financially responsible future that preserves the artistic integrity of one of the world’s most beloved institutions… But management cannot expect players to absorb a combination of new rules, pay and benefit changes… without putting something beyond job guarantees on the table. These people aren’t making widgets… They deserve more respect.”