IATSE-2nd2018_web

sion was gained so an independent financial analyst could
review The Met’s finances. This report confirmed the findings
of the International’s forensic accountant. At this point,
AGMA representing the Singers, and AFM 802 representing
the orchestra musicians came to a tentative agreement with
The Met.
Management then added another arbitrary 72 hour lockout
deadline for the IA Locals. Local One resumed negotiations.
After many hours of tough bargaining, a tentative agreement was
reached in the early morning of August 20th between Local One
and The Met. The six other IATSE Locals met in a day of “round
robin” negotiations in order to negotiate agreements. All the Locals
were able to come to tentative agreements on the evening of
August 21st. Even though each Local’s agreement is separate and
craft specific, all contracts shared the equivalent burden of sacrifice
and gain in future compensation. Each Local also gained
the right to participate in financial oversight at The Met that is
subject to binding arbitration. As these agreements were implemented,
all Locals and the International have attended meetings
on this financial oversight.
The Communications Department changed the Facebook
and Twitter groups from “Save The Met” to “We Saved The Met”
to stay engaged with the over 5,000 followers of the group. In
the tumultuous run up to the lockout deadline, all the Locals’
members stood together in solidarity while facing the threat of
the loss of their job. All the represented crafts at The Met stood
united in order to protect the greatest opera company in North
America from itself. The International and each of the Locals expressed
their heartfelt thanks to their members at The Met who
stayed strong and who at all times conducted themselves professionally
in the face of economic uncertainty.
This was a remarkable victory for IATSE members and a testament
to the Alliance’s tenacity, resilience and solidarity.
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