From the Musicians Union: Met Opera Musicians Rally to Extend Good Faith Negotiations

This morning, the Met Orchestra and supporters rallied in Dante Park in front of Lincoln Center before resuming federally mediated negotiations under a 72-hour threat of lockout imposed by opera manager Peter Gelb. The musicians and other Met Opera artists and craftspeople, along with elected officials in NYC and the New York Times in an editorial, have called on Peter Gelb to continue negotiating in good faith and lift his threat of lockout, which Gelb has extended to 72-hours past the contract deadline expiring at midnight last night.

Prior to talks, Gelb had for months refused to provide essential information to allow negotiations to begin, then days before the start of scheduled discussions, sent a letter warning workers to prepare to be locked out and receive no pay or benefits after their contract expired August 1. This week, despite the union's negotiating in good faith and agreeing to management's offer of federal mediation, Gelb continues to threaten a lockout, which would harm families and imperil this year's Met Opera season.

Said Tino Gagliardi, president of the Met Orchestra' union, Local 802, AFM, "Peter Gelb should not be talking about a lockout at all. Last night he stated that this extension is a one-time gesture and that he will not offer any further extension if an agreement is not reached within 72 hours. We are negotiating rigorously, but given Gelb's proposed draconian cuts and the delays by the Met in providing information necessary to start talks, working out a settlement will likely require more time.

He continued, "We are working with FMCS Deputy Director Allison Beck and will return to the bargaining table tomorrow, and we are prepared to do so every day after tomorrow if the mediation effort is proceeding in good faith. Declaring a lockout would gravely undermine the mediation process. It is our hope that the mediated negotiations will finally yield transparency on the part of Met management, requiring it to prove why it needs upwards of $30 Million in cuts to address a deficit of $2.8 million. We also trust that the mediator will urge management to acknowledge its overspending and role in falling revenues. We also hope that the mediator requires the Met to give full and genuine consideration to the cost-saving suggestions offered by the musicians, totaling $37.8 Million, which includes concessions resulting in lower pay for workers, significantly reducing the Met's labor costs."

Elected officials, including Congressman Jerrold Nadler, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Tish James, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, New York City Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Helen Rosenthal have publically asked Peter Gelb not to lock out its workers and punish the skilled people who make the Met one of the world's cultural gems.

While base compensation has barely kept pace with inflation during Gelb's tenure, the MET Opera budget has increased by nearly 50% ($105 Million), in large part due to overspending on unpopular new productions, poor scheduling, ineffective marketing and management waste. The MET Orchestra, which has won three consecutive Grammys and is considered the best opera orchestra in the world, is absolutely in favor of new and artistically daring productions. They believe that with well-chosen productions and expert management, the Met can live within its budget and present innovative grand opera while also offering competitive compensation to attract and retain the best musicians in the world.

The musicians have produced an extensive, detailed report on the Met Opera under the management and artistic direction of Peter Gelb. The report also notes the severe impacts of the cuts Gelb seeks, and concludes with the musicians' suggestions for $37.8 Million in cost-savings for the Met Opera, including substantial savings to its labor budget. Gelb has dismissed all of the musicians' proposals, including givebacks and concessions.

New York City elected officials supporting continued negotiations and denouncing a lockout:

Comptroller Scott Stringer: "With the contracts between the Metropolitan Opera and its unions due to expire at midnight tonight, I urge all sides to stay at the bargaining table until a fair contract can be hammered out through good-faith negotiations, not threats of a lock-out. For over 130 years, the Met has been a fixture of New York City's cultural life-a place where the world's greatest performers have inspired millions of people from across the five boroughs and every corner of the globe. Tourism spending in New York City is an important driver of our economy, with more than $36 billion spent in 2012. The Met's performers, stagehands, technicians, and assistants deserve a fair outcome, as do the scores of restaurants, shops and other vendors that rely on the Opera for their livelihoods. I urge the Met to extend negotiations and not lock-out its union workers."

Joint statement from NYS Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, NYS Senator Brad Hoylman, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and NYC Councilmember Helen Rosenthal:"As the contracts between the Met Opera and its affiliated unions near theirmidnight expiration deadlines, we urge both sides to continue negotiations in good faith until a fair conclusion is reached. A lockout would serve no one's interests, and in fact would cause serious damage to the hallowed cultural institution that is the Met Opera, all of its workers and the area businesses that depend on the Met's continued operation."

Public Advocate Tish James: "I am deeply concerned about the ongoing labor dispute involving the Metropolitan Opera and the possibility of its hard-working entertainers being locked out. This impasse can only resolved through good-faith negotiations and respect for workers who deserve fair wages and benefits."

New York City Council Member and Chair on the Committee of Cultural Affairs Jimmy Van Bramer: "There is no New York City without culture and the arts. The Metropolitan Opera is part of the success story that is culture in our great City. But there is no Met Opera without the men and women who perform and stage its great productions. These hardworking men and women make the Met what it is. Balancing budgets on the backs of the workers is never acceptable and I call on the management of the Met to come up with solutions that do not include slashing salaries and benefits for its employees. A fair deal must be worked out and a lockout avoided at all costs."

State Senator Brad Hoylman: "The failure of the Metropolitan Opera to negotiate further with its unionized workers sends the wrong message that management is willing to disregard those who've been integral in creating the world's greatest opera house. I implore the Met not to lock out its trusted workforce and instead extend negotiations in good faith. The entire city - and indeed, the world - is watching."

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