Breaking: The Met and IATSE Reach Final Union Agreements

The Metropolitan Opera and IATSE jointly announce tonight that new labor agreements have been secured with the remaining unions whose contracts had expired.

Groups with new agreements include six unions represented by IATSE: Local 751 (box office treasurers), Local 764 (costume and wardrobe), Local 794 (camera operators), Local 798 (wigs, hair, and make-up), Local USA 829 (scenic artists and designers), and Local 829EE (bill poster). The Met also reached an agreement with Local 1456 (painter).

Earlier this week, the Met reached new agreements with IATSE Local One (stagehands), AGMA (chorus, principal singers, directors, and stage managers), and Local 802 (orchestra musicians and librarians).

On July 31, the original contract deadline, the Met reached new agreements with Local 32BJ (ushers, ticket takers, cleaning staff, porters, security guards, and office service workers), Local 210 (call center), and Local 30 (building engineers).

IATSE International President Matthew Loeb commented, "While cost savings are comparable to other agreements reached, the terms and conditions agreed upon this evening vary greatly. These six agreements were crafted to meet the needs of our members and the Met."

The Met season opens September 22 with a new production of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and will include 221 performances of 26 operas in six new productions and 18 revivals.