AGMA is happy to report that the new collective bargaining agreements for Dancers and Stage Managers between AGMA and Pacific Northwest Ballet were ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the respective shops.
There have been multiple additions and improvements to the contract language in both the Dancer CBA and the Stage Manager CBA, particularly when it comes to compensation and benefits; health and safety; DEI; and Digital Media.
Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 4-year agreement!
HIGHLIGHTS FOR DANCERS:
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Year 1: Wage increases of 24.5% wage for Apprentices; 4.5% for all other Dancers
- Years 2-4: 3% increases for all
- 0.25% increase to Pension with additional match, rising to 7.75% for all
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
- Strengthened already-existing anti-harassment language by adding a deadline for offering Trainings, Reverse Weingarten, and a commitment to mutually agree on when to utilize Intimacy Coaching
- Strengthened existing physical-maintenance language by adding additional required on-site services for performance and tour weeks and an ongoing commitment to expand and improve preventative care including exploring ways to obtain timely imaging services.
- Inclusion of COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols Side Letter
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
- Comprehensive Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.) provisions. Including but not limited to:
- The Company will make a sustained effort to circulate job postings and recruit candidates from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented within the dance industry
- The Company agrees to maintain the convening of its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.) Committee, which consists of representatives from across the organization including Administration, PNB School, and PNB Orchestra, Production / Costume, and at least three (3) representatives of the Artists, including the AGMA delegates
- All AGMA positions for which the Company is seeking candidates shall be posted. The Company will also maintain its practice of conducting PNB School Summer Course auditions in communities of color in order to attract a diverse cohort of Professional Division Students, from which the majority of Artists members are hired
DIGITAL MEDIA
- Artists will now receive $100 for social media takeovers and media activities are now recognized as an Artist Activity
- Additional compensation of 1/6 of each Artists' gross weekly salary, for streaming when views reach audience capacity of 80% inclusive of streaming participants
HIGHLIGHTS FOR STAGE MANAGERS
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Wage increases of 8%, 6%, 5%, 3% respectively
- Retirement increases from 4% match to 2% match, 2% base
- Addition of meal-break language that protects against meal breaks from being interrupted and guarantees a 45-minute meal break after 5 hours
- New comprehensive tour section added
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
- Strengthened already-existing anti-harassment language by adding a deadline for offering Trainings, Reverse Weingarten, and a commitment to mutually agree on when to utilize Intimacy Coaching
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
- Comprehensive Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.) provisions. Including but not limited to:
- The Company will make a sustained effort to circulate job postings and recruit candidates from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented within the dance industry
- The Company agrees to maintain the convening of its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.) Committee, which consists of representatives from across the organization including Administration, PNB School, and PNB Orchestra, Production / Costume, and at least three (3) representatives of the Artists, including the AGMA delegates
- All AGMA positions for which the Company is seeking candidates shall be posted. The Company will also maintain its practice of conducting PNB School Summer Course auditions in communities of color in order to attract a diverse cohort of Professional Division Students, from which the majority of Artists members are hired
DIGITAL MEDIA
- Additional compensation of 1/6 each Artists' gross weekly salary, for streaming when views reach audience capacity of 80% inclusive of streaming participants