IATSE Responds to Metropolitan Opera & Orchestra Agreement Stating ‘We’re Not Done Yet’

By Francisco Salazar
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera)

Following the announcement of the Metropolitan Opera and its agreement with the Orchestra, Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees responded by noting that the company was not done with negotiating all labor agreements.

In a statement, the union said, “The agreement between the Met Opera and IATSE Local One ended a lockout that stretched seven months. Stagehands and skilled craftspeople are now back at work preparing for the new opera season, scheduled to begin Sept. 27. However, other Met workers, represented by IATSE, whose work is critical to the opera’s operations, are still seeking new labor agreements.”

Additionally, IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb responded, “We’re not done yet. Our union has many members at the Met beyond those represented by Local One. We still need to make sure that their contracts are settled and their issues are addressed.”

According to the union, the opera company’s ticket sellers and Scenic Artists do not have contracts yet and are scheduled to appear at the bargaining table Wednesday and Thursday.

The Metropolitan Opera is scheduled to open on Sept. 27 with Terrence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut up in my Bones.”

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