Musicians accept ENO agreement with ‘heavy hearts’

The Musicians' Union has announced that English National Opera (ENO) has come to an agreement with its members in the orchestra after they voted "with heavy hearts" to accept a package guaranteeing all players seven months' work once the company relocates.

Also included in the deal is a minimum redundancy payment and improvements to proposed contracts.

Orchestra members at ENO, who are currently full-time, will be made redundant and then rehired on new contracts as part of the relocation process as the company moves forward with plans to split its time between its London residence, the Coliseum, and Manchester, where it will work with a range of venues.

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Despite agreeing to the package in principle, the MU said its members were “clear that they should be on full-time contracts and ENO should be performing opera with its artistic forces year-round,” adding “the musicians want to make it clear that they have voted for the package because they want to see the company and orchestra contribute to make as much opera as possible”.

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with ENO for the orchestra, albeit a deal that our members have accepted with heavy hearts.

“It was clear that the current Arts Council England funding package and instruction to move out of London by 2029 did not provide for full-time jobs for ENO's performers at the present time.

“This is a tragedy, and we are worried about how our members will make ends meet over the next couple of transition years for the company. Our deal has focused on the best package achievable to try to keep the orchestra together.”

Cost saving

ENO has been in talks with its musicians, chorus and technical staff since last October after announcing various cost-saving measures.

The company’s plans included downsizing its orchestra and chorus with the loss of upwards of 20 full-time positions with changes to working hours for those remaining, as well as cuts to working hours and salaries for backstage technical staff.

A strike by the chorus and orchestra was due on Thursday (1 February) to coincide with the opening night of The Handmaid’s Tale, but was cancelled following talks with ENO.

ENO has previously said that the cuts are necessary following a reduction in funding from Arts Council England (ACE). The company has until 2029 to move its headquarters out of London under ACE plans.

Arts Professional has approached ENO for comment.