FMCS Statement on the Labor Negotiations Between the New York Metropolitan Opera and Unions

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Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Jul 31, 2014, 11:30 ET

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the request of the Acting Director of the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Scot L. Beckenbaugh, the Metropolitan Opera has agreed to extend the existing contracts with 15 unions beyond tonight's deadline and to continue their negotiations—averting an imminent work stoppage tied to the expiration of the union contracts.

"I am extremely pleased to announce that after meeting today with FMCS Deputy Director Allison Beck and FMCS Commissioner Kathy Murray-Canon, a 72-hour contract extension has been offered in the hopes that mediation efforts can assist the parties in averting a work stoppage. The agreement is to extend the contracts and continue negotiations under the auspices of the federal mediators," Beckenbaugh said. "This is a welcome step in what has become a very public and difficult set of negotiations, and we commend the parties for taking this action. Deputy Director Beck and Commissioner Murray-Cannon are committed to doing all they can to help the parties come to a voluntary resolution of these negotiations"

"We are certainly aware of the public's interest in these matters but we do respectfully ask the parties asked to refrain from additional public comments about the substance of negotiations as the talks continue under FMCS auspices," Beckenbaugh said. "Due to the sensitivity of these negotiations, the FMCS will have no further comment at this time."

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service