CLEAN : 'We are the Met': Labor tensions at prestigious New York opera flare

The transcript discusses the ongoing contract dispute between the Met and its stagehands, whose contract expired last July. The Met proposed significant wage cuts, citing pandemic-related financial strains. The union opposes these cuts, viewing them as union-busting tactics. The transcript highlights the economic importance of the arts in New York City, emphasizing that the arts drive tourism and business, and are crucial for the city's recovery post-pandemic.

In what ways does the speaker believe the Met's actions are exploitative?

What is the significance of the phrase 'economic engine' in the context of the speaker's message?