The new collective agreement between the Musicians' Union and Northern Ballet, announced in July, secures rates, terms and protections for freelance musicians engaged by the company. Photo: Alamy
This summer, it was announced that members at Northern Ballet Sinfonia supported by the Musicians' Union has achieved a new collective agreement.
In a video for social media, TUC Northern East, Yorkshire and Humber, Regional Secretary Dave Pike described the new collective agreement as, "A victory for these workers, for the creative and cultural industry, and for the whole trade union movement."
"Northern Ballet's commitment to a live orchestra is exactly what we need to see up and down this region to take full advantage of the talent we know there is in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber," Dave continued.
It follows a 2025 message of solidarity from the TUC region, which represents over 800,000 workers.
Protecting musicians' jobs
The new collective agreement between the Musicians' Union and Northern Ballet, announced in July, secures rates, terms and protections for freelance musicians engaged by the company.
Crucially, the new agreement retains a list of first call musicians that includes the majority of the original Northern Ballet Sinfonia members.
The agreement brought an end to the dispute between the Union and the company, which involved demonstrations, leafleting audience members, press coverage and a petition that achieved over 22,000 signatures.
Putting arts funding on the agenda
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Front Row, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl described the agreement as "an absolutely fantastic achievement."
She also highlighted the role of stagnant arts funding in creating problems for local authorities and orchestras across England.
The MU is lobbying Government for arts funding to protect orchestras under threat. It is a key theme for the Union at this year’s Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, under the banner ‘Keep Music Live’.