Union files complaint to stop move of NYC Opera

[Hannah Bell]

A union representing New York City Opera workers has filed a federal complaint against the financially troubled company, saying its plans to move out of Lincoln Center after 45 years are aimed at undermining the labor rights of performers.

The American Guild of Musical Artists says the opera’s move to a smaller venue and a shorter schedule will mean less work for union members. It filed a complaint Thursday with the National Labor Relations Board saying the opera should have negotiated with the union.

The union represents about 200 opera workers, including about 50 choristers and 10 production workers.

City Opera announced last week it was moving out of Lincoln Center and will do only three full-scale operas next season instead of five.

http://www.pbpulse.com/music/music-news/2011/05/27/union-files-complaint-to-stop-move-of-nyc-opera/

[Dreamer Tatum]

1. First they came for the fat lady...nt

[AlabamaLibrul]

2. Net recommendation: 0 votes (Your vote: +1)

[Hannah Bell]

3. some opera haters here. lol.

[FLAprogressive]

5. Probably union haters.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Well, they went from 20 productions a year to 5...

because subscriptions and donors are way down and are cutting staff, but still pay 4.5 million a year to Lincoln Center and Local 802 thinks it's all about them?

The board has done some stupid things over the years leading to the decline of the company, but this is not a union issue.

[Hannah Bell]

6. no, it's never a union issue, it's always because there's "noooooo moooneeeeeyyyyyy"

[MilesColtrane]

7. The AGMA consists of the actual performers and backstage production personnel,...

not the opera orchestra. (Although I'm sure the musicians and stagehands back them.)

So yes, it is all about them, for without the people on stage, there is no opera.

[Confusious]

8. If there is no goose

There are no eggs. For anyone.

If they've already cut their production schedule, it doesn't sound like they're bullshitting about money. And they are a non-profit, so there are no stock values to go up, and make upper management a shitload of money.

Now, if you came back showing that the CEO and upper management of the opera company were getting big raises, my opinion would change.

[Tabasco_Dave]

9. Could this be the problem?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_H._Koch_Theater



In July 2008, billionaire philanthropist David H. Koch pledged to provide $100 million over the next 10 years for the purpose of renovating the theater and providing for an operating and maintenance endowment. It was renamed the David H. Koch Theater at the New York City Ballet Winter gala, Tuesday, November 25, of that year. <1> The theater will bear his name for at least fifty years, after which it may be renamed; the Koch family retains the right of first refusal for any renaming.

[Hannah Bell]

10. not sure why a koch endowment would make the opera move. in theory that

ought to make the rent cheaper, even.

but kochs sure have their fingers in a lot of pies...