Unions Charge City Opera Move Puts Endowment at Risk

Labor unions fighting New York City Opera’s departure from Lincoln Center contend the move would violate the terms of the gift that provided the bulk of the organization’s endowment, says The New York Times.

In a complaint filed Monday with the state attorney general’s office, unions representing City Opera musicians, chorus members, and other employees say the move flouts the intent of the 1982 gift from Reader’s Digest founders Lila and DeWitt Wallace, which established a fund to benefit “the constituent companies of Lincoln Center.”

The unions also allege the organization misled state officials in seeking permission during the 2008-9 season to use $23.5-million from the endowment to cover debts and operational costs.

City Opera management maintains the financially strapped group can no longer afford to perform at Lincoln Center. In a statement, the organization, which will perform in several other places in the forthcoming season, called the union complaint “another distraction from real issues.”