NEW YORK –Tentative contracts with its major unions on August 18 averted the Metropolitan Opera’s scheme to lock out its 2,500 union workers in mid-August. The workers, including International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 1 and Musicians Local 802, which represents the Met’s orchestra, were scheduled to vote on the pacts later in August, union leaders said. […]

Deep salary cut demands, which its unions say are unjustified, and a company threat to close down, at least temporarily, are combining to force members of the 16 unions at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera to plan to strike, if necessary.