ENO reaches deal with equity

A settlement has been reached between English National Opera and Equity, it has been announced.

ENO released a statement today declaring that a deal to change the ENO chorus contracts has been agreed.

The deal has been reached following the chorus voting to strike during the first act of Philip Glass's Akhnaten in a protest against a cut in contracts. Strike action, originally scheduled for this evening, has been called off.

The settlement means the ENO chorus will move to a nine month contract, which will run from August – April. During the months of May – July when the company performs outside its home venue, the members will be offered work on a first refusal basis.

The number of the chorus has been cut from 44 to 40 and the new contracts will come into effect from August 2017.

Cressida Pollock, chief executive of ENO, said, "I am delighted that we have been able to reach a deal with Equity. We recognise the fundamental importance of the ENO chorus in delivering world-class opera."

A statement from Equity said: "The chorus has reluctantly agreed to a reduction in their guaranteed pay package and some changes to overtime arrangements in order to give ENO management the savings it says it needs. In return ENO management has undertaken to work with the chorus and Equity to maximise opportunities for additional work during the Summer."

Equity has also negotiated a pay package for the chorus. ENO originally proposed cutting their package to £30,685. The new reduced package will be £35,000.

The company has been forced to make savings following a reduction in Arts Council funding.

Read Mark Valencia's blog on the crisis here