English National Opera musicians and singers to go on strike
The English National Opera’s musicians and singers have voted to go on strike in protest at a plan to cut jobs.
Members of the company’s orchestra, chorus and music staff will walk out on 1 February, the opening night of its latest run of The Handmaid’s Tale.
The Musicians Union and Equity said plans to axe 19 orchestra posts and make other staff members part time would threaten musicians’ livelihoods.
The ENO said the dispute “could be best resolved around the negotiation table”.
This will be the first time that Musicians Union members have taken full strike action for 44 years.
The union’s general secretary Naomi Pohl said the vote was “a sign of extremely difficult times for the orchestral sector and opera and ballet in particular”.
Arts union Equity’s general secretary Paul Fleming said: “The heart of this dispute is about who opera in this country is for: should there be stable, accessible jobs for people from every background, or precarious jobs limited to the few.”
In its statement, the ENO added that while it “respects trade union members’ right to industrial action as part of our ongoing negotiations”, it was “disappointed that it means audiences will miss out on an opportunity to experience the work and talent of the entire ENO company”.
The ENO said it remained “committed to continuing our conversations with the Unions in good faith as we work towards a sustainable future, within the context of our funding agreement reached with Arts Council England in July 2023”.
Arts union Equity’s general secretary Paul Fleming said: “The heart of this dispute is about who opera in this country is for: should there be stable, accessible jobs for people from every background, or precarious jobs limited to the few.”
In its statement, the ENO added that while it “respects trade union members’ right to industrial action as part of our ongoing negotiations”, it was “disappointed that it means audiences will miss out on an opportunity to experience the work and talent of the entire ENO company”.
The ENO said it remained “committed to continuing our conversations with the Unions in good faith as we work towards a sustainable future, within the context of our funding agreement reached with Arts Council England in July 2023”.