The workers of the New York Metropolitan Opera are on the warpath. This Thursday, they came out to express their rejection of the lockouts and wage cuts, which threaten the start of the season next fall.
“The Met has put us out of a job. Because our contract expired last July, the Met basically proposed to cut the terms of our contract to, in theory, save them 30% of what they pay for the full compensation of the stage hands. And we simply cannot accept it “explains Peter Tudor, an electrician at the Met.
The International Alliance of Theater Stage Employees (IATSE) accuses the Met of negotiating in bad faith, requesting a 30% pay cut that would remain in effect even after performances return. Also to use the pandemic as an excuse to approve an unfair contract.
“It is an exploitation of a health crisis that has decimated our industries and caused our country great pain. It is not an opportunity to reach into someone’s pocket and rob them.”says Matthew Loeb, president of the IATSE.
With more than 3,000 employees, the New York Met is the largest performing arts organization in the United States. Due to the pandemic, it has stopped entering 150 million dollars.
This Sunday, he will give his first live concert with an audience, after fourteen months of virtual events.
Looking to September, the union agreements with the members of the orchestra and stagehands are still on the air. Yes, an agreement has already been reached with the soloists and with the choir.
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