We remain in urgent negotiation to achieve a new agreement but meanwhile Northern Ballet are approaching musicians to work on a freelance basis on non-union terms. Image credit: Jonathan Stewart.
After many months of campaigning and negotiating with Northern Ballet to secure the jobs of the orchestral musicians there, they have taken the decision not to extend our agreement with them under existing terms.
We remain in urgent negotiation to achieve a new agreement but meanwhile they are approaching musicians to work on a freelance basis on non-union terms.
Any work offered by Northern Ballet is currently under non-union terms
At present, Northern Ballet are not committed to using the musicians who have worked with them for many years.
The Union's campaign has been both to Keep Music Live and to save the jobs of the musicians in the Northern Ballet Sinfonia. It is therefore extremely disappointing that they are not booking all their own players for upcoming work.
There are also terms in the contract being offered now that the Union intends to reject in negotiation, for example restrictive terms related to use of deputies.
In addition, the travel payments offered will be calculated as if everyone is based in Leeds. For example, it appears that for a player coming from London and playing with the Company in Hull, mileage would be calculated and paid from Leeds to Hull, with no reference to the players’ own home base.
We hope to improve terms in negotiation but only had sight of the draft contract immediately prior to Christmas.
If you are approached to work for Northern Ballet please contact us for further advice
If you are approached to work for Northern Ballet, please contact orchestral@themu.org for further advice before signing.
We will provide members with further information and updates as negotiations progress.