Contract negotiations for the Metropolitan Opera begin in July and already conflict may be rising. The Met?s general manager, Peter Gelb, has talked with union officials representing the players in the orchestra about reducing benefits and changing work rules to keep costs down. The cost reductions include pay cuts that the president of the musicians union described as ?devastating?. The Met?s last season ran a $2.8 million deficit and drew more money from its endowment than most non-profits would consider. In addition to requesting new concessions from the Met?s 16 unions, this will be the first year that Mr. Gelb will lead negotiations.
See "Met Opera Seeking Concessions in Union Talks", Michael Cooper, The New York Times, February 27, 2014