Northern Ballet is currently operating on non-Union terms. Photo: ©Jonathan Stewart for The Musicians' Union.
In autumn 2023, Northern Ballet announced that they were being forced to consider getting rid of their live orchestra for some touring productions and replacing the musicians with recorded music due to a real terms funding cut.
While members’ campaign to Keep Northern Ballet Live secured more live music than previously planned, the company dispensed with its own first-call orchestra and is operating on non-Union terms.
New TUC North East, Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Secretary Dave Pike, has shared a video in solidarity with members affected.
In the video, he says, “The MU has offered fair, workable proposals. It's time for Northern Ballet to engage properly and reach a deal that protects jobs, pay and live music.”
The real impact cannot be understated
Pike, who represents 800,000 unionised workers, has also written to the MU to share solidarity with musicians affected by the changes at Northern Ballet.
“The real impact that has on working musicians cannot be understated, driving talented working musicians to food banks. As someone who relied on the MU as a musician myself, I want to offer whatever support I can,” he wrote in an email to MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl.
The Union thanks the TUC for their continued support for members.