The opening of the new season of the New York Metropolitan Opera is in jeopardy, as unionized workers have been warned of being locked out if a new labor agreement cannot be agreed on by next week. The current contract for workers at the Met, which includes the orchestra, stagehands, and the chorus, expires July 31st, and there seems to be no optimism among the various unions that a new agreement will be reached in time. The Met is attempting to cut labor costs after box office receipts have sagged in recent years, causing the Opera to draw from its endowment. The new season is scheduled to open September 22.
See "Met Opera Prepares to Lock Out Workers", Michael Cooper, The New York Times, July 24, 2014