The Cleveland Orchestra and its musicians have ended 2018 on a harmonious note.

Orchestra management and musicians announced on Thursday, Dec. 27, that they have struck a three-year labor agreement that covers the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. The musicians, who are members of Local 4 of the American Federation of Musicians, already have ratified the agreement, according to an orchestra news release.

Under terms of the agreement, musicians "will receive 2% annual increases in minimum weekly compensation during the term of this new three-year contract, and a new fifth tier of seniority pay at the 25-year mark was created to acknowledge the deep commitment and dedication of the musicians," the orchestra said in the release.

Musicians also will receive annual increases in their retirement benefits, as well as higher levels of life insurance and long-term disability benefits. In turn, the release stated, the musicians' contribution towards health care premiums "will increase in each year of the agreement," though the amount of that increase was not specified. The orchestra said a joint advisory committee will meet "within the first year of the new agreement" to review the plans' features "and their impact on costs, discuss possible cost containment measures, solicit input, and inform and educate adjustments to the plan."

André Gremillet, Cleveland Orchestra president and CEO, said in a statement that the agreement "is a great credit to the negotiators on both sides of the table, to the members of our board of trustees who played an active role, and is the result of focused efforts in recent years to strengthen institutional alignment. Everyone involved feels we reached an outcome that will make it possible for the Cleveland Orchestra to further build on the great momentum that was achieved with the Centennial celebrations of the last year."

Jonathan Sherwin, chairman of the Orchestra Committee, which negotiates on behalf of the musicians, added, "Negotiations were cordial and civil, and the parties were able to constructively address a number of issues. Most importantly, the musicians want to thank our patrons, trustees, and donors for their tremendous support over the past 100 years, and we look forward to what the next century will bring for the Cleveland Orchestra."