City Opera Management Rejects "Perform For Free" Offer
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City Opera Management has passed on an offer from the unions representing its musicians and singers that could have saved the company some much-needed cash.
The proposal would have required members of the New York City opera to perform for free in the 2011-2012 season.
Performers offered to keep their benefits in exchange for an equal partnership with management over the next two years.
Management says allowing the performers to work for free could violate labor laws.
They also say it would not save much money because the Opera would still have to pay performers for rehearsal time and for employee health insurance.
Management proposed an hourly pay system instead.