English National Opera chorus to vote on industrial action after proposed cuts
The performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity has said a ballot will open on January 4.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Trade union members of the English National Opera (ENO) chorus are set to vote on taking industrial action following proposed salary cuts to the ensemble.
The performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity has said a ballot will open on January 4 which includes the potential for striking.
Chorus members have said the ENO has proposed to reduce chorus’ contracts to six months of the year and cut salaries by 40% as the opera company seeks to cost save after it was pulled from the the Arts Council England (ACE) grant portfolio.
In November 2022, ACE offered the company £17 million over three years to relocate outside London after making the funding cut announcement.
Initially, the ENO were set to move by 2026 but in July ACE said that it had adjusted funding plans to allow ENO until 2029 to move out of London.
At the time it was also confirmed that ENO would receive £24 million from ACE between 2024 and 2026 to establish a new main base and deliver a “substantial opera season every year” in London.
Earlier this month, it was announced that ENO had chosen Greater Manchester as its new main base.
Equity said its members have rejected the ENOs plans to cut chorus salaries and that its management has not confirmed what their plans for the new base will be and have “refused to guarantee any involvement in Manchester for their existing artistic workforce”.
The trade union body said it has been in talks with ENO about salaries but that these have now stalled.
Hilary Hadley, Equity assistant general secretary for Live Performance, said: “Our members cannot accept ENO’s current proposals as such loss of income would be disastrous for anyone.
“Members have now given us clear direction to ballot on industrial action. We hope that we can soon reach an agreement with the ENO that will see the chorus and stage management workforce get the work, pay and terms and conditions that they need to survive.
“The ENO’s proposals short change audiences and opera in London and Manchester. Manchester will suffer from stripped back productions without the ENO chorus – serving Manchester audiences only half the ENO experience.
“At the same time, drastically reducing the ENO’s opera season in London will be hugely detrimental to the provision of affordable and accessible opera in the city.”
Ronald Nairne, ENO chorus member and workplace representative for Equity, said: “To have our income reduced by 40% would be devastating, making it near impossible to live on ENO salaries.
“Meanwhile the company is asking us to deliver the same product in a much shorter window. There are alternative ways in which £12 million a year could be spent to produce more opera, reach more people, and keep the workforce in meaningful, sustainable employment.
“There is currently no suggestion that we the chorus, the orchestra or the technical teams will be involved in anything at all in Manchester.
“Cuts to the chorus and stage management will do nothing to level up culture. Instead these cuts will leave the chorus in London with half a job and Manchester audiences without a full experience of ENO.
“We are asking ENO management to be more creative, and remodel a company that can deliver opera by everyone, for everyone.”
An ENO spokesperson said: “Everyone at ENO respects trade union members’ right to industrial action as part of our ongoing negotiations.
“However, given the requirements set out in the agreement we reached with Arts Council England in July 2023, we believe we have presented the most viable business model that will protect the workforce as much as possible whilst ensuring a sustainable future for the whole organisation.
“We believe that the issues raised could be best resolved around the negotiation table.
“We continue our conversations with Equity in good faith as we work towards a sustainable future for ENO as agreed with Arts Council England in the funding agreement reached in July 2023.”