FMCS Director George H. Cohen Applauds Tentative Agreement between Metropolitan Opera and AFM Local 802

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Director George Cohen issued the following statement today:

The Metropolitan Opera is a centerpiece of the cultural scene in the New York metropolitan area and also attracts an audience from locations spread throughout the United States and countries throughout the world.  Given that reality, I was honored that Opera management and Local 802 of the AFM which represents the orchestra musicians, jointly requested that I accompany my colleague, Commissioner David Thaler, in mediating the negotiations for a new collective agreement.  The old agreement was set to expire at midnight this past Sunday.  I am pleased to announce that at the culmination of an all day and night bargaining session, the parties have reached a comprehensive tentative agreement.  Notwithstanding strongly held competing positions of the parties, the agreement was reached through good faith constructive discussions which bridged those competing positions.

Out of respect for the parties approval process, including a yet to be conducted ratification vote among the musicians, and consistent with the Agency's long standing practice, we leave it to the parties to discuss the specifics of the tentative agreement when and how they deem appropriate.  Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we applaud the parties' extraordinary effort in reaching the tentative agreement

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

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