The new three-year collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Colorado Ballet was approved by AGMA leadership on April 28, 2025 after being ratified by the shop.
Let’s celebrate what the negotiating committee achieved together! This agreement brings strong wage increases across all ranks (up to 9% in Year 1), improved parental leave and sick time, and new provisions supporting physical therapy access, artist feedback, personal time, and representation. It also includes a significant bump in healthcare coverage, now 90% employer-paid.
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS:
Wage Increases:
Principal:
Year 1: 4%
Year 2: 3.5%,
Year 3: 3.5%
Demi-Soloist; Soloist:
Year 1: 5%
Year 2: 3.5%
Year 3: 3.5%
Corps:
Year 1: 6%
Year 2: 3.5%
Year 3: 3.5%
Apprentice:
Year 1: 9%
Year 2: 3.5%
Year 3: 3.5%
Other Compensation:
- Increase in Seniority from $8.50 to $9.25 per week over the duration of the CBA
- Increase cap on severance pay to those with 20 years of Seniority
- Increase in social media take over fee
- 20% increase in Parking allowance in Year 1 of Agreement
- Increase in coverage to health care contributions from 80% to 90% starting in Year 1 of Agreement
Other Benefits:
- Increase birthing parent leave from 10 to 15 days
- Increase to accrued sick leave for weeks employed beyond the guaranteed 34 weeks
- Artists may now designate up to 6 of their sick leave days as Personal days, up from 3 previously
- Two pairs of Toe pads will be provided to each dancer who wears pointe shoes per season
- New language that permits Artists to schedule an end of season feedback meeting with Artistic Director which will be recorded
- Undressing time will be provided after in-studio run-throughs with costumes and/or wigs to ensure Artists receive their full lunch break
- New timeline extended for notification to return from lay-off from 6 to 8 weeks.
- For tours in Colorado, the Ballet will notify Artists of being called back early for said festivals no later than three (3) months prior to call back date.
- Sunday rehearsals will occur only when student participants require interaction with Artists, and best efforts will be made to avoid scheduling on Sundays
- Artists may request additional rehearsal time to address partnering issues
More Artist Support, Representation, and Accommodations:
- Costumes, wigs, shoes, and makeup will be provided with awareness and sensitivity to Artists’ skin tones and hair types
- The Employer will dye shoes to the required color; Artists are responsible for matching shoes to their skin tone, with make-up or pancake provided by the Employer
- Artists may request career-related photographs in addition to video footage
New Physical Therapy language:
- Employer will make best efforts to have 2 PT’s available during lunch breaks the week prior to tech.
- PT will be available on Mondays (Artist’s Free Day)
- If a conversation needs to take place about an Artist’s injury, the Artist will be present, or a follow up meeting involving the Artist will be scheduled