SF Opera Orchestra pickets outside the War Memorial on Sept. 12. | Credit: Courtesy of the SF Opera Orchestra
SF Opera and the American Federation of Musicians Local 6, the union representing the SF Opera Orchestra musicians, did not reach an agreement in time for last night’s Sept. 12 opening performance of Simon Boccanegra. As a result, the SF Opera Orchestra went on strike and picketed outside the War Memorial Opera House.
SF Opera announced the season opener was canceled at 7:25 p.m. last night. The strike announcement from the union came 23 minutes before the curtain was supposed to rise at 8 p.m. At the time, thousands awaited word from the negotiations — War Memorial has a seating capacity of 3,000, plus hundreds of performers in the cast, chorus, and orchestra among stagehands, ushers, and security.
After all the uncertainty this week about the orchestra contract negotiations and strike threat, no agreement could be reached to prevent opening night’s cancellation
On Tuesday evening, before and after a dress rehearsal for Simon Boccanegra, Orchestra musicians and their supporters distributed leaflets stating in all capital lettering, “THE ORCHESTRA CANNOT BEGIN THE NEW SEASON WITHOUT A CONTRACT.”
Negotiations continued through Labor Day weekend, but no progress was reported.
As always in such negotiations, there are many issues, but the focus here is on salaries.
SF Opera Orchestra pickets outside the War Memorial on Sept. 12. | Credit: Courtesy of the SF Opera Orchestra
The SF Opera administration first proposed a reduction in salaries, reflecting the smaller season and work required from the orchestra, but the musicians countered until SFO offered a five-year frozen salary structure — no reduction, no raise. The union turned down the offer, saying that inflation and the high cost of living in San Francisco present an unacceptable situation.
The Opera’s website has remained silent on the subject, but on Friday, SFO distributed an “economic context” for the negotiations.
Last night, the musicians of the SF Opera Orchestra released the following statement:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the musicians of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra are on strike and we will not be performing at tonight's Opening Night. A strike is not something we take lightly, and we are deeply sorry to everyone who planned to spend this evening at the opera. We have been clear throughout these negotiations that management's offers were insufficient, and that without a fair contract we would have no choice but to stop work. Management's insistence on cuts has left us no other option.
Our contract expired on July 31. We came into these negotiations months ago expecting to build on the modest agreement we reached two years ago. Management instead initially proposed a 26% pay cut, which would have returned us to 2015 wages, and later "improved" that offer to a 20% cut. Coming into today, their latest proposal was a five-year wage freeze, which, factoring in inflation, is equivalent to roughly a 20% cut over the life of the contract. All of this at a time when San Francisco rents are surging to the highest in the nation.
Despite our efforts to negotiate in good faith, cuts have remained their answer to every proposal we have made. Our ask is simply to keep pace with the local cost of living, much like the recently announced contract for the city's public sector unions.
And while management insists that the musicians take a pay cut, the same standard does not seem to apply to the Opera’s executives. The General Director's salary rose 72% between the 2022 and 2025 fiscal years, from $424,000 to $729,000, according to the company's public filings.
The San Francisco Opera is not a company in trouble. By management's own account, and by the financial information they have shared with us:
SF Opera Orchestra pickets outside the War Memorial on Sept. 12. | Credit: Courtesy of the SF Opera Orchestra
Six productions have sold out in the past three years.
Ticket sales and subscriptions are rising. Donations have increased by $8 million compared to last year, exceeding the Opera's stated goals by $2.2 million.
In addition to recent high-profile gifts, the number of "Producers Circle" donors, who contribute over $100,000 per year, has more than doubled since the pandemic.
There are several structural ways for the Opera to address its operating deficits without squeezing its artists, none of which they appear willing to explore. We are holding the line for a fair contract not only for our current musicians, but so that the Company can attract and retain top talent for years to come. If we are not competitive with our peer orchestras, we cannot expect exceptional talent to accept a lower paying position in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
There is nowhere we would rather be tonight than in the pit. We ask management to return to the table in good faith, prioritize reaching a fair contract, and provide the stability and certainty that the company needs to continue its positive trajectory.
If you want to help, write to the San Francisco Opera at PatronServices@sfopera.com and tell them what this season means to you.
