Those of you who have been following the AGMA/NYCO rowdydow may be interested to hear that the labor union is also in touch with its members in regard to attempts at cost-cutting at the Met.

La Cieca has learned from an AGMA member that Peter Gelb has recently written a letter to Met artists asking for a “contribution” of 10% of contracted fees. According to an email from AGMA honcho Alan S. Gordon, this appeal follows a previous more direct request to all Met unions for a 10% reduction in wages.

The email urges AGMA members to “refrain from responding” to Gelb’s letter. Gordon adds that AGMA and other unions have insisted that the Met pay for an audit to determine the “nature and extent” of the Met’s financial problems in order to determine “the extent to which any contributions from AGMA members would help cure those problems.”

AGMA’s current agreement with the Met does not expire until 2011.

La Cieca should emphasize that she is repeating what she is being told here, and she’s always willing to listen to other sides of the story.