Metropolitan Opera Extends Deadline; Agreements Made with Three Unions

It looks like Götterdämmerung has been averted, at least temporarily: The Metropolitan Opera has decided to continue negotiating with its unions for another 72 hours, delaying the lockout that seemed to be inevitable all week.

According to a release from the Met, "The delay was requested by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, who, at the institution's request, is leading talks between the Met and two of its largest unions, AGMA (which represents singers, dancers, stage managers, and directors) and Local 80s (which represents orchestra musicians and music staff.) Discussions will also continue with representatives of Local One which represents the Met's stagehands."

The Met, which is negotiating with 15 unions simultaneously, says it has reached new contract agreements with 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.

Meanwhile, Local 802 AFM reports having staged a rally this morning in Dante Park, in front of Lincoln Center. Tino Gagliardi, the union's president, said, "[Met general manager] 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."

"We want to work together with union representatives, and do everything we can to achieve new contracts, which is why we've agreed to an extension," said Gelb.

The other unions whose contracts are not settled are Local Four (parks crew); Local 751 (box office treasurers); Local 764 (costume and wardrobe); Local 794 (camera operators); Local 798 (wigs, hair, and make-up); Local 829 (scenic artists and designers); Local 829BP (bill poster); Local 1456 (painters); and Directors Guild of America (directors and stage managers).

The Metropolitan Opera's new season is set to begin on September 22 with a new production of La Nozze di Figaro, directed by Richard Eyre, who did the company's well-received Carmen, with scenery and costumes by Rob Howell and lighting by Paule Constable.