Welsh National Opera chorus members vote to strike in row over jobs and pay
The Welsh National Opera's chorus has voted to strike in a dispute over jobs and pay.
Equity said the walkouts will hit a number of productions in the coming weeks.
Strikes will be held on September 21 (the opening night of Rigoletto) and 29 (Il Trittico) and October 11 (Opera Favourites At The Movies).
Other forms of industrial action will be held from September 21 to December 6.
The announcement of strike action follows a 93% yes vote in a ballot of chorus members.
Equity said WNO management has proposed to cut the size and hours of the chorus, with singers facing a 15% pay cut and the threat of compulsory redundancies.
Paul W Fleming, Equity general secretary, said: “Taking strike action is unprecedented among the Welsh National Opera chorus and it’s not a decision taken lightly.
“Singers are not prepared to be cast aside in management proposals which would catastrophically harm this Welsh cultural icon.
“WNO needs to realise that the chorus is a key asset and come to the negotiating table so we can agree a way forwards that works for the WNO, the chorus and future productions.”
A WNO spokesperson said: “While we respect the right to strike by Equity members in WNO Chorus we are disappointed that this will mean our audiences will potentially miss out due to the impact on performances/concerts.
“WNO have a planned meeting next week with union representatives to progress negotiations and discuss new proposals, while also recognising the reality of WNO’s financial situation following significant cuts to our public funding.
“We continue to do everything we can to avert strike action in order to perform our full autumn season as planned.”
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Equity workplace representative Claire Hampton, a soprano who has been in the WNO chorus for 22 years, said: “My colleagues and I voted in favour of taking strike action and action short of strike, reflecting our dismay at proposals to cut our salaries and contract length.
"This was not an easy decision for any of us to take, but we have been left with no choice as we face the devastating impact that proposed changes will have on our income.
“If management are unwilling to negotiate an improved offer, we are committed to taking action to protect our jobs. This disruption can be avoided by meeting our simple and achievable demands for a full-time contract, fair treatment, adequate resources and respect for the work that we do.”
A WNO spokesperson said: “While we respect the decision of the ballot organised by Equity who represent WNO chorus members, we are disappointed that this will mean our audiences will ultimately miss out due to the effect on performances/concerts.
“We have continued to engage in open and transparent negotiations with unions and are committed to finding a solution which works for our chorus members while also recognising the reality of WNO’s financial situation following significant cuts to our public funding.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”
Musicians in the WNO orchestra say they will be taking industrial action on 21 September.
The Musicians Union said its members will be leafleting the audience and wearing campaign T-shirts instead of their usual concert dress for the opening night performance of Rigoletto.
The musicians will be calling on management, Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England to keep WNO as a full-time company, stop a proposed 15% pay cut and agree a sustainable funding package to secure the opera’s future including touring.
The union says more than 11,000 people have signed a petition to protect the WNO.
MU general secretary Naomi Pohl said: “Our members don’t take industrial action of any kind lightly. They are motivated by the inevitable impact of management’s proposals on Welsh culture and audiences and the loss of opportunity for freelance musicians, as well as the personal impact of the proposed reduction in their hours and pay.
“There are very few opportunities to see live opera in Wales and south-west England and the WNO management’s proposals will mean some areas have no provision at all.
“Alongside the proposed closure of the Welsh College of Music and Drama’s junior department, and the ongoing closure of St David’s Hall, musical activity in Wales has seriously diminished."
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