FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreements at the Metropolitan Opera

News provided by

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Aug 18, 2014, 06:36 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Allison Beck, Deputy Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement this morning on tentative agreements between the Metropolitan Opera and two of its largest unions, Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA):

"I am pleased to announce that after many hours of intense negotiations, representatives of the Metropolitan Opera, Local 802 and AGMA have reached tentative agreements. These agreements are subject to ratification. Federal mediators joined the negotiations in response to a joint request for assistance from the parties."

The unions and Met management reached tentative agreements after jointly retaining Eugene Keilin, a highly regarded independent financial analyst, to conduct a confidential financial analysis in an effort to help the parties reach new labor agreements.

"These were difficult and highly complex negotiations, and I wish to commend the parties for their resolve in addressing multiple and complex issues. We are grateful for their commitment to the collective bargaining process and grateful most of all that the Metropolitan Opera, one of the world's premier cultural institutions, will continue providing outstanding operas for all to enjoy.

"I also wish to thank Metropolitan Opera General Manager Peter Gelb, Local 802 President Tino Gagliardi, and AGMA Executive Director Alan Gordon for their cooperation in working with FMCS. Their leadership was vital to achieving this successful outcome. On a personal note, I thank my colleague, FMCS Commissioner Kathleen Murray-Cannon, for her extraordinary contribution to this result."

FMCS, consistent with its practice, will have no further comments regarding these negotiations.

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