Metropolitan Opera Reaches Agreement with IATSE Local One

It looks like there will be a Metropolitan Opera season after all. Following its agreements with American Federation of Musicians and American Guild of Musical Artists, the company has now closed a pact with the stagehands of IATSE Local One.

With these key agreements achieved, deals with the remaining unions are expected to quickly fall into place. They are 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), Local 829EE (bill poster), Local Four (parks crew), and Local 1456 (painters).

Details of the agreement haven't been announced, but they reportedly include the first pay cuts in decades. According to The New York Times, Peter Gelb, the Met's general manager, "agreed to match the savings with non-labor cuts, and to allow an independent analyst to monitor the company's finances."

Matthew Loeb, international president of IATSE, issued a statement that said, in part, "We've said since bargaining began in May that IA members understand the financial realities facing the Metropolitan Opera. We've always been willing to contribute to a solution that will keep the world's best operas in front of the world's greatest opera fans."

"We also have insisted, from day one, that management must confront budget realities and make substantial and quantifiable contributions to a financially sustainable business model. The tentative agreement we reached today -- which includes mandatory cost reductions from management and an independent monitor to track budget performance -- offers a way to get the Met on a track for success."

"We look forward to presenting the details of the agreement to members of Local One for their decision on ratification. And we're committed to remaining at the bargaining table to conclude agreements for the other six IATSE local unions whose members make the magic happen at the Metropolitan Opera at every performance."

The Met also issued a statement that said, in part,

"The new contract with Local One, subject to ratification, will provide the institution with savings comparable to those achieved through the recent agreements with Local 802 (which represents orchestra musicians and librarians) and AGMA (which represents chorus, principal singers, directors, and stage managers)."

"Pre-season rehearsals and preparations for the 2014-15 season will continue without interruption. The Met season will open as scheduled on September 22 with a new production of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and continue with 221 performances of 26 operas in six new productions and 18 revivals." Other unions that have already reached agreements with the Met are Local 32BJ, which represents ushers, ticket takers, cleaning staff, porters, security guards, and office service workers; Local 210, which represents the call center; and Local 30, which represents building engineers.

Yesterday, AFM and AGMA, according to the Times, "agreed to a 3.5% wage cut, followed by another 3.5% reduction in six months -- either as a further wage cut or a negotiated change in benefits. In the second half of the fourth year they would get a 3% raise. The Met agreed to cut administrative costs, and to cut $11.25 million of other expenses from its budget each year.

The Met has undergone rocky financial times, thanks to plentiful spending on new products and declining box office revenue. As has been frequently reported, Gelb has sought to raise new endowment funds but his board has demanded cuts in the budget before signing on to a fundraising campaign.