New York, NY (January 30, 2018) –  American Ballet Theatre (ABT), the internationally acclaimed ballet company based in New York City, concluded an overall tentative agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the national union representing about 90 dancers and stage managers at the Company. The new three-year agreement, subject to approval by the AGMA Board of Governors, includes annual wage increases and an increase in retirement contributions for the artists, among other modifications. The chief negotiator for AGMA was its New York Area Dance Executive, Griff Braun. “We are very pleased to successfully conclude these negotiations and I know that these dedicated Artists are now looking forward to embarking on ... Read More -->

New York, NY (January 19, 2018) –  The Artists of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), the internationally renowned ballet company, overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike shortly after midnight on Wednesday. Eighty (80) Dancers and Stage Managers, represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), took the vote as negotiations stalled.  The Artists have been bargaining with ABT management since late April of 2017 for a new three-year agreement.  Among other issues, the group is seeking to improve retirement contributions which were completely eliminated for one year, then cut in half - from 7.5% to 3.75% - during the recessionary period beginning in 2008.  Artists are now seeking modest increases in the contribution rate to... Read More -->