Musicians in the Newport Symphony Orchestra have unionized with American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 99. The symphony’s board voted to grant voluntary recognition to the new union in July, pending a check of signed union authorization cards that would show that the union had majority support. The Newport Symphony is now Local 99’s second largest bargaining unit and its first unit outside of the Portland metro area. Local 99 secretary-treasurer Mont Chris Hubbard said they work around six to eight weeks out of the year. “We want everyone involved with our orchestra to feel safe, valued, and heard,” Newport Symphony executive director Dan Howard told the Labor Press by email.