Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff: Episode Summary Episode Title: The Workers' Struggle within The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff, host Richard D. Wolff delves into pressing economic and political issues shaping contemporary society. The discussion spans the recent U.S. military actions in Iran, significant developments in New York City's democratic primary, notable resignations within the Democratic National Committee, and the burgeoning economic influence of the BRICS alliance. The latter half features an in-depth interview with members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, highlighting their ongoing labor struggles and the broader implications for cultural institutions in the United States.

U.S.-Iran Military Conflict

Richard Wolff opens the episode by examining the United States' unilateral military action against Iran. He critiques the decision to deploy B2 bombers and drop some of the world's largest bombs on Iranian soil, specifically targeting sites suspected of uranium enrichment.

Richard Wolff [00:20]: "We are now living in a society in which we are kept from knowledge of what is really going on and presented instead with carefully choreographed political theater."

Wolff questions the rationale behind these strikes, noting the absence of an ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran and the potential risks associated with nuclear materials.

Charlie Fabian [05:24]: "You're not sure exactly what's down there. Why would you take such a risk?"

The conversation shifts to the Iranian retaliation, where missiles damaged a major American military base in Qatar. Wolff underscores the lack of transparency and the ensuing political theater, leaving the public in the dark about the true motives and consequences of these military maneuvers.

Richard Wolff [07:13]: "We don't know what was at the bottom of the mountains that the United States bombed, and we don't know what was in the base that the Iranians bombed."

Democratic Mayoral Primary in New York

Transitioning to domestic politics, Wolff highlights the landmark victory of Zoran Mamdani in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. This win represents a significant shift towards socialist policies within one of America's most influential cities.

Richard Wolff [09:56]: "Mr. Mamdani proving that what Ocasio Cortez in a part of New York City achieved, he can achieve for the whole city."

Wolff draws parallels to past socialist figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emphasizing Mamdani's potential to transform American politics by reintroducing socialist ideals into the mainstream.

Richard Wolff [10:09]: "This is shaking up all of the political establishment, not just the Democrats... a sign that the times are changing in big, powerful ways."

Union Leaders Resign from the Democratic National Committee

The episode proceeds to discuss the resignations of prominent union leaders from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Figures such as Randy Weingarten, Lee Saunders, and David Hogg cite the party's decline and failure to connect with the electorate as primary reasons for their departure.

Richard Wolff [12:19]: "They criticize what is a losing proposition... a Democratic National Committee that is asleep at the wheel."

Wolff connects this turmoil within the DNC to Mamdani's triumph, suggesting that his victory embodies the very change union leaders are advocating for—a reinvigoration of the Democratic Party with socialist principles.

BRICS Economic Growth

Wolff shifts focus to the global economic landscape, highlighting the remarkable growth of the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and its expansion to include twelve additional nations. The bloc has surpassed the G7 to become the world's largest and richest economic consortium, with trade among BRICS nations recently exceeding $1 trillion.

Richard Wolff [14:27]: "United States strategy in Ukraine was a failure because you didn't understand that Russia could turn and trade with the BRICS after it lost the ability to trade with Europe."

He critiques the U.S. administration's strategic missteps, particularly under President Trump, whose tariffs have inadvertently isolated the United States economically by pushing major economies like China towards BRICS partnerships.

Interview with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Musicians

Introduction of Guests

In the second half, Wolff introduces Stephanie Mortimer and Javier Gandara, esteemed members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Both have held significant roles within the union, contributing to collective bargaining efforts and advocating for musicians' rights.

Charlie Fabian [16:53]: "Stephanie Mortimer... has been the principal Piccoloist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2000... Javier Gandara... has been a member since 1999 and has held several key positions."

Bargaining Issues and Goals

Javier Gandara outlines the orchestra's primary objectives: achieving parity with peer organizations, securing wages that reflect the high cost of living in New York City, and maintaining the institution's longstanding artistic excellence.

Javier Gandara [19:53]: "We are seeking parity with groups that are our peers in the rest of the country... better working conditions and wages that allow us to live in the city that we work in."

He criticizes nonprofit management's reluctance to invest adequately in their workforce, emphasizing that sustaining artistic quality necessitates fair compensation.

Javier Gandara [20:58]: "They have this market mentality for everything except for the nonprofit. And that, we know, is a mistake."

Impact of the Pandemic on Musicians

Stephanie Mortimer shares the orchestra's harrowing experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing an 18-month furlough without salary—a stark contrast to other orchestras that continued to pay their musicians.

Stephanie Mortimer [22:27]: "We were furloughed for 18 months with no salary... we actually decided to help ourselves... raised over a million dollars in small donations to help our musicians."

The lack of federal support due to the orchestra's large size forced the musicians to unite and seek alternative means of financial support, fostering a strong sense of solidarity.

Pay Scale and Comparison

Mortimer highlights the discrepancy between the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra's wages and those of comparable orchestras, noting a decline in income despite a 40% increase in New York City's cost of living.

Stephanie Mortimer [25:25]: "A 25-year career veteran string player in our orchestra is making a few hundred dollars less than they did in 2011... our peer orchestras have not seen that they are actually keeping up with the cost of living."

She contrasts this with other institutions like the New York Philharmonic, which have successfully negotiated substantial pay increases, underscoring the need for similar advancements at the Metropolitan Opera.

Resilience and Solidarity

Despite management's austerity measures, Mortimer and Gandara emphasize the orchestra's proactive initiatives, such as establishing a chamber music series at Carnegie Hall. These efforts not only provide financial support but also enrich the cultural landscape of New York City.

Javier Gandara [28:00]: "Because the management of the so-called important institution couldn't keep it going, but the workers in that institution figured out how to do that."

This resilience reflects a broader critique of how enterprises are organized in the U.S., suggesting a misalignment between managerial priorities and workers' needs.

Conclusion

Richard Wolff's episode of Economic Update offers a comprehensive exploration of significant economic and political challenges, both domestically and internationally. By intertwining discussions on military policy, political shifts, union dynamics, and global economic realignments, Wolff provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the forces shaping today's world. The in-depth interview with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra musicians serves as a poignant case study on labor struggles within cultural institutions, highlighting broader themes of solidarity, economic justice, and the imperative for systemic change.

Notable Quotes:

• Richard Wolff [00:20]: "We are now living in a society in which we are kept from knowledge of what is really going on and presented instead with carefully choreographed political theater."

• Charlie Fabian [05:28]: "If you're not sure, why would you take such a risk?"

• Richard Wolff [09:56]: "This is shaking up all of the political establishment, not just the Democrats... a sign that the times are changing in big, powerful ways."

• Javier Gandara [19:53]: "We are seeking parity with groups that are our peers in the rest of the country... better working conditions and wages that allow us to live in the city that we work in."

• Stephanie Mortimer [22:27]: "We were furloughed for 18 months with no salary... raised over a million dollars in small donations to help our musicians."

This episode underscores the interconnectedness of economic policies, political movements, and labor dynamics, offering listeners a profound insight into the ongoing struggles and transformations within key societal institutions.