DETROIT (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm have released recommendations about what they say the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and its musicians should do to settle an ongoing strike.
The Democrats say in a letter Thursday that the symphony and its musicians are "within striking distance of an agreement" to the walkout that began Oct. 4.
Levin and Granholm say both sides should agree to a three-year contract with total compensation of $36 million. They say that's down from the previous contract's $48 million but more than the $33 million to $34 million that management has proposed.
They also recommend lower initial compensation for new musicians without using an ongoing two-tier pay arrangement.
The symphony and a musicians' spokesman say they plan statements later Thursday.