THE chorus of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) has overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action in a dispute over jobs and pay, their union said today.

Members of Equity, which organises in the performing arts and entertainment sector, backed strike action by 93 per cent on a 100 per cent turnout. The union called for talks to avoid walkouts hitting forthcoming performances.

Equity said that WNO chorus members face a pay cut of at least 15 per cent, a reduction in contracted hours — despite their high workload of performances and rehearsals — and a fall in their numbers.