Agreement reached in Opera dispute

Members at English National Opera have voted to accept a peace offer from management.

The settlement was drafted with the aid of ACAS, the government conciliation body, on May 6, and accepted by members at a meeting next day. Plans for industrial action at ENO have been dropped by the union.

In the new deal management withdrew proposals for 57 compulsory redundancies, and 48 jobs were saved through a combination of:

• Volunteers
• Withdrawal
• Redeployment
• Remaining on ENO's books

In addition 10 new posts will be created in the technical department to be filled internally - any subsequent vacancies created will offered to staff on fixed term contracts.

ENO has agreed that there will be no further compulsory redundancies, or contracting-out of work, during the Opera's period of closure which is due to start on June 8.

The opera house is due to re-open in January 2004.