Indianapolis Symphony musicians filing for unemployment - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Musicians now say they're planning to file for unemployment benefits as a lockout continues.

Contract negotiations between the musicians and the symphony broke down earlier this month, and since Sept. 10th, ISO Musicians have been locked out. Their health insurance was also terminated.

Rick Graef, ISO Musicians chairman, says while progress has been made, musicians have gone almost three weeks without pay or health insurance.

"Filing for unemployment benefits was certainly not an action the musicians wanted to take, but as we head into the third weekend of cancelled concerts, we feel we simply don't have many other options available to us," said Graef.

According to ISO Musicians, they're eligible for benefits because they're involuntarily locked out due to their employer's decision. 

The impasse has led to the cancellation of ISO concerts, although the musicians held a benefit concert on Sept. 22 for the ISO Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, raising about $8,000 for the MYO.

You can catch the musicians performing outside of Hilbert Circle Theatre at lunchtime Monday through Friday (11am to 1pm). They say they'll continue to play during the lockout.