Write to the chair of Welsh National Opera Board - oppose the job cuts

Singers and Equity members in the Welsh National Opera chorus are facing devastating cuts to their jobs and pay.

Stand with them by signing our open letter calling on Yvette Jones, Chair of the Board, to intervene with management to rethink their unjust proposals. We want:

A full time Chorus
A full time wage
No compulsory redundancies

We reject a proposal that would result in:

at least a 15% cut to chorus members’ pay
a reduction in contracted hours despite the high workload of performances and rehearsal
a cut to the overall number of chorus members with real threat of compulsory redundancies

LETTER TO BOARD CHAIR YVETTE JONES

Dear Yvette,

We are writing to you in support of the Equity members who have voted to take strike action at WNO, as they fight the unjust cuts to jobs, terms and conditions currently being proposed by management.

Management’s proposals would result in:

at least a 15% cut to chorus members’ pay

a reduction in contracted hours despite the high workload of performances and rehearsal

a cut to the overall number of chorus members with real threat of compulsory redundancies

Wales deserves world class opera with a full time, professionally paid Opera company, not a part time, understaffed, overworked chorus.

The damage these cuts will do to the workers that make Opera happen in Wales is poignantly described by WNO chorus member of 22 years and Equity Deputy Claire Hampton:

"I am a mother of three living a very basic lifestyle, these cuts will put me just above minimum wage and this is unsustainable for me and my children. With few opportunities here in Wales to transfer my skill set it could force me out of my home and possibly out of the sector."

Our members don’t deserve this treatment.

We are asking you to intervene with management to save jobs, livelihoods and a treasured part of Welsh culture.

Yours sincerely,

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