The performers' trade union Equity has stated that it was unclear whether the existing London workforce of English National Opera will have any opportunities in the new location following the announcement earlier this week that it was to establish a Manchester base.
Equity Assistant General Secretary for Live Performance Hilary Hadley said, “we remain concerned for the existing workforce in London. They are currently facing the impact of an extremely uncertain future and dramatic cuts to their contracts.
“It is unclear from this announcement whether there will be any opportunities for them at this second base, and it is our fear that it will further erode good quality jobs on Union contracts for singers and stage management.
“Expansion of the ENO outside of London should not come at the expense of the workforce, or indeed to the detriment of a London opera audience.”
Amy Kerenza Sedgwick, ENO Chorus member and workplace representative for Equity, added, “the only certainty in today’s announcement is that there will be a significant reduction in the work and income for those of us employed at the ENO right now. No levelling up plan worth the name can begin by putting people out of work.
“Moving an opera company to Manchester, only to employ people sporadically on freelance contracts, isn’t the cultural investment the North deserves.”