SF Symphony musicians strike just before tour

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The Grammy-Award winning musicians of the San Francisco Symphony are going on strike, one week before they were scheduled to embark on a tour of the East Coast, including Carnegie Hall in New York City.

More than 100 musicians announced the work stoppage Wednesday after failing to reach an agreement brokered by a federal mediator over an ongoing dispute with management over the symphony's finances. Officials canceled a Thursday afternoon concert in response.

The musicians have been playing without a contract since last month.

Violist David Gaudry, who serves on the players' negotiating committee, says musicians want the symphony to open its financial books.

Executive Director Brent Assink says the symphony's management will continue to work with the union to craft a fair agreement.