The Stage

Move to block Scottish Opera overtures

Published Tuesday 31 May 2005 at 15:45

Members are to be issued with issued with instructions urging them not to accept work as choristers with Scottish Opera, until current negotiations about the terms, conditions and rates of pay for employment with the company are satisfactorily completed.

Natasha Gerson, proposing the motion for the Scottish National Committee, explained that Scottish Opera had sacked its entire chorus and was now employing choristers on a freelance basis.

She said: “This is a bad, but not hopeless situation. I would like to commend the work of the Scottish office. This instruction will be an invaluable negotiating tool. Currently we have a Scottish Executive which is made up of a bunch of philistines.”

The decision comes after Scottish representative Lorne Boswell launched a fresh campaign to prevent the 88 staff being made redundant from the financially troubled SO in August, after the government had ignored the union’s earlier efforts.

Since then, Richard Jarman has been appointed interim general director at the opera company. He will remain until the full-time post is filled. The vacancy follows the resignation of chief executive Christopher Barron whose move to the Birmingham Royal Ballet was announced in April.