Welsh National Opera’s Chorus Votes for Strike Action

Members of the chorus have voted in favor of strike action in a dispute over jobs and pay

Represented by the performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, members of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) chorus have called for strike action by 93% on a turnout of 100%, and requested talks to avoid walkouts. 

According to Equity, the 30-member WNO chorus is facing a 15% pay cut, a reduction in contracted hours despite the high workload of performances and rehearsals, and a decreasing number of chorus members. Compulsory redundancies are also becoming a “real threat.”

Strike action has been called for WNO performances on September 21 and 29, as well as October 11, 2024. The action will involve protests, leafleting, and speeches. Equity members are considering further industrial action dates if progress stalls in talks. 

This news follows the WNO orchestra’s recent call for industrial action after learning of the proposal by its management to reduce musicians’ pay and render the opera orchestra part-time. Since then, over 11,000 people have signed a petition to protect the WNO.

“This ballot result is a resounding vote of no confidence in [WNO] management and shows that chorus members will not take their disastrous cuts,” said Equity’s General Secretary Paul W Fleming in The Herald. “Our members are tired of being told to be resilient, and just get by. This is a resounding vote for resistance to management’s willing acceptance of the political choice of austerity.

“WNO must go back to the drawing board on these unjust proposals and engage in a process which protects the full-time status of our members and recognises the huge value this highly skilled workforce bring to the reputation of the company and to its work.”

“While we respect the decision of the ballot organized by Equity who represent WNO chorus members, we are disappointed that this will mean our audiences will ultimately miss out due to the effect on performances/concerts,” added a WNO spokesperson in response. “We have continued to engage in open and transparent negotiations with unions and are committed to finding a solution which works for our chorus members while also recognising the reality of WNO’s financial situation following significant cuts to our public funding. It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

“Taking strike action is unprecedented among the Welsh National Opera chorus and it’s not a decision taken lightly,” said Fleming in Equity. “Singers are not prepared to be cast aside in management proposals which would catastrophically harm this Welsh cultural icon. WNO needs to realize that the chorus is a key asset and come to the negotiating table so we can agree a way forward that works for the WNO, the chorus and future productions.”