Welsh National Opera musicians to take industrial action against cuts

Directed by Adele Thomas, WNO’s incoming co-general director and chief executive, Rigoletto is to play venues including Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Theatre Royal Plymouth and the Bristol Hippodrome.

The MU’s proposed action is designed to both call into question transformations planned for the organisation – with members demanding the protection of a full-time company and an end to a proposed 15% pay cut – as well as to demand Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England institute a "sustainable" funding package for WNO.

It follows significant reductions in support by ACE and ACW, announced in 2022 and 2023.

MU general secretary Naomi Pohl said: "Our members don’t take industrial action of any kind lightly. They are motivated by the inevitable impact of management’s proposals on Welsh culture and audiences and the loss of opportunity for freelance musicians, as well as the personal impact of the proposed reduction in their hours and pay."

She continued: "We hope the seriousness of the situation is evident to the Welsh Government and that they will step in if the Arts Councils can’t or won’t."

A WNO spokesperson said: "At the moment no industrial action is planned and all performances in the autumn 2024 season will currently continue. We will continue to engage in open and transparent negotiations with both the Musician’s Union which represents members of WNO orchestra. We are committed to finding a solution which works for both our orchestra members while also recognising the reality of WNO’s financial situation following significant cuts to our public funding."