It has been reported that the musicians of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra have voted overwhelmingly to accept a new agreement to protect its future.

It follows a year of successful high-profile campaigning, following the news that it was proposed that they would have to accept a proposed 15% pay cut. The orchestra had already lost 10 posts since 2020.

The success of the sustained industrial action has now seen 97% of the musicians voting in favour of the new agreement.

Reassured

Speaking about the decision, Musicians' Union (MU) General Secretary Naomi Pohl said: "WNO's new leadership in Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree is more collaborative and positive than the MU have ever known it. The MU is reassured that they are fighting to retain a full-time performing company in spite of the current funding issues.

However, we know we are not out of the woods yet. This is an incredibly difficult time for the arts in the UK and the opera sector has been especially hard hit, with WNO disproportionately affected and facing significant ongoing financial challenges.

We must continue to stand with WNO to campaign for the future integrity of a full-time, full-strength company."

Public support

Over 14,000 members of the public and leading arts figures backed members' campaign to protect WNO as well as members of the Senedd, Parliament and the Trades Union Congress in England and Wales.

However, there are still concerns, as MU and player committee member Llinos Owen stated: "Whilst this marks the end of our industrial action, we are acutely aware that there have been job losses for many of our friends and colleagues across the company, and that the chorus are currently facing compulsory redundancies."

The MU is reassured that they are fighting to retain a full-time performing company in spite of the current funding issuesMusicians' Union (MU) General Secretary Naomi Pohl

Challenging year

MU National Organiser for Orchestras Jo Laverty added: "This has been an incredibly challenging year for the whole company, and it continues to be, despite this outcome.

We are aware that there are challenges still to come but what we have achieved here is some stability for the orchestra over the coming year, a better agreement and a constructive working relationship with WNO management which we have faith will continue."

Sustainable

MU members had also been campaigning for Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England to agree a sustainable funding package to secure WNO's future which has led to the Welsh Government providing an additional £1.5m in funding to support arts organisations in Wales.