From the archive: Orchestras may strike - 12 december, 1949

ORCHESTRAS at 54 theatres in Scotland, England and Wales have given notice to terminate their engagements after Christmas Eve, said Mr Hardie Ratcliffe, general secretary of the Musicians’ Union.

“A difficulty now confronting our officials particularly in the Manchester district, is to discourage other orchestras from joining the strike without instructions from us. Three of the smaller theatre proprietors suggested that we should meet them to discuss the possibility of settlement for their halls, but as a Trade Union we follow the procedure of collective bargaining and we are therefore interested only to hear from the Proprietors’ Association, whom we asked for meetings five months ago. It would be impracticable to meet all the proprietors individually.” The Union’s North-West District Council, meeting at Manchester last night, he said, passed a resolution urging no compromise with the employers’ associations.