Musicians in the Welsh National Opera are balloting for strike action

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is to ballot its members at the Welsh National Opera (WNO) on a mandate for industrial action. The move by the union is in response to swingeing budgetary cuts at the opera company that could see its orchestra becoming part-time with pay cut by 15%.

A petition calling for the WNO to be maintained as a full-time company been signed by more than 10,000 people and the position endorsed by opera singers Bryn Terfel and Katherine Jenkins and actors Michael Sheen and Ruth Jones.

The world renowned opera company is considering drastic action in the face of significant funding reductions from both the Arts Council of England - which it receives due to its performances in England - and the Arts Council of Wales.

The union said reducing the orchestra’s status to part time would negatively impact artistic standards and Cardiff’s status as a hub for professional music, as well as the WNO’s cultural impact in Wales and England.

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Backed by members of the Senedd and Wales TUC, the orchestra have been campaigning to protect their jobs and leafleting ahead of WNO performances.

Some 10,600 people have to date signed a WNO orchestra petition, to both arts councils and Cardiff Bay and Westminster governments, calling for jobs to be protected. In April the opera company said it will be cutting back its spring tour in 2025 and will not be performing in Llandudno or Bristol.

The MU is calling on WNO management, the Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England to: keep it a full-time company; stop the proposed 15% pay cut; and agree a sustainable funding package to secure its future, including touring.

The ballot period will commence on June 26th and will run for three weeks. More than 30 of the orchestra, which represents the vast majority, are members of the MU.

MU general secretary, Naomi Pohl, said: “This is a critical time for Welsh National Opera as it faces funding cuts from Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Wales.

“We are also deeply concerned about diminishing opera provision across the UK. This will hit hardest in areas that already have less arts and music provision, and hugely reduce opportunities for musicians to earn a living.

“We are determined to support our members in challenging plans for unsustainable pay cuts for our members and changes that could cause major damage to arts and music in Wales. With a General Election on the horizon, it is a pivotal moment in time to make our case for the cultural investment so desperately needed for our arts institutions.”

Ruth Ballantyne, MU acting regional organiser for Wales and south west England, said: “These proposed cuts would be hugely damaging for our members and professional music in Wales and south west England. The proposed removal of stable and secure jobs, and the inevitable reduction in the amount of work for freelance musicians, is unacceptable.

“The WNO Orchestra is one of only two full time professional orchestras in Wales. Reducing that provision would have a negative effect on the WNO’s artistic standards, Cardiff’s status as a hub for professional music, and cultural provision across Wales and large parts of England.

“Music and the arts are already facing major challenges across Wales and damaging the artistic foundation of Wales’ largest arts organisation would be another major blow to musicians and audiences. Wales has strong and deeply felt musical heritage and I’m sure that everyone will be concerned about one of our national companies being potentially downgraded in this way.”

Jo Laverty, MU national organiser for Orchestras, said: “If the orchestra is forced to go part-time this will be hugely damaging to WNO’s orchestra members and their loyal pool of freelancers and will have a wider knock-on effect on the industry.

“If proposed cuts go ahead, there will only be two full-time employed opera orchestras (Opera North and the Orchestra of the Royal Ballet and Opera) left in the whole of the UK; with the stability and benefits of year-round employment and year-round opportunities for engagement of freelancers.

“It diminishes opportunities in the profession, it diminishes opportunities for skilled orchestral musicians in Wales, and the future of the profession for Wales’s aspiring young musicians.”

A spokesperson for the WNO, which employs 220, said: "We are aware that a ballot is due to take place organised by Musicians' Union who represent WNO Orchestra members. We respect this process and it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."