ENO strike suspended as 'urgent' talks continue

Strike action planned by Equity and the Musicians’ Union at English National Opera has been suspended as “urgent talks” continue.

The two organisations had announced their intention to hold a strike on February 1, on the first performance of The Handmaid’s Tale.

In a joint statement, they said: “The Musicians’ Union and Equity are postponing full strike action in order to allow time for urgent talks on improved proposals from ENO management. Equity has reached an interim headline settlement for the chorus but is working on the details of a final deal.”

It added: “The Musicians’ Union has made some progress but requires further negotiation to achieve a settlement that will be acceptable to its members. Consequently, industrial action on The Handmaid’s Tale on February 1 is suspended but our mandate for industrial action remains live until such a time that a full settlement is reached.”

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