MN Opera Orchestra votes no confidence in Opera leadership as labor negotiations intensify

Quick Read

The vote of no confidence is not an outright work stoppage. However, musicians did vote to authorize a strike in early October.

The Minnesota Opera Orchestra musicians announced a formal vote of no confidence in Minnesota Opera leadership on Saturday, another escalation in contentious labor negotiations between musicians and leadership.

The Opera Orchestra has been at odds with the Opera over cost-of-living wage increases. That dispute led the Opera to postpone the world premiere of "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr," which was due to open Saturday evening.

While the vote of no confidence is an escalation, it is not an outright work stoppage. However, musicians did vote to authorize a strike in early October.

In a letter to the Opera board of directors, Opera Orchestra musicians said Opera president and general manager Ryan Taylor had delegated negotiations to outside legal counsel. They also accused management of...