Earlier this month, AGMA and Ballet Austin jointly announced the ratification of the company’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Today, we’re celebrating what this historic four-year agreement delivers for Ballet Austin dancers. Congratulations to the dancers whose organizing, advocacy, and dedication helped make this landmark contract a reality and established a strong foundation for their future at Ballet Austin. The agreement was approved by the shop and ratified by AGMA’s Board of Governors on August 10, 2026.
Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS:
Economics
- New seniority-based wage scale
- Individual increases beginning in 2026–27 ranging from 9% to 19%
- Retroactive pay for 2025–26 ranging from 3% to 13%
- Guaranteed employment for at least 22 dancers per season
- Guaranteed at least 34 weeks of pay per contract
- Established Pay or Play protection
- All work is paid Artist Activity
- Established daily and weekly limits on work, rest periods, holidays, and free days
- Work in violation of those limits is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate
- Extra pay for serving as a Rehearsal Director
- Extra pay for singing, speaking, or lip-syncing
- Established Extraordinary Risk pay
- Public Transit passes
- 10 days of PTO
Health & Retirement
- Ballet Austin will cover the middle-level health insurance plan
- Matching retirement contribution of up to 1%
Parental & Other Leave
- Established 12 weeks of Parental Leave
- Ballet Austin will supplement short-term disability to provide 100% of salary during the exclusionary period
- Ballet Austin will pay 40% of salary to supplement the 60% provided through short-term disability
- Additional unpaid medical leave available when needed
- Non-birthing parents receive 4 weeks of Parental Leave
- Up to 5 days of Bereavement Leave
Equity & Respect in the Workplace
- Established contractual Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and DEI protections
- Policies and training established, with training provided on paid time
- Joint Committee will provide follow-up input on training
- Staff must have appropriate cultural competency to prepare Artists for repertoire involving racial, cultural, or historical sensitivities
- Prohibits using makeup to alter an Artist’s ethnicity
- Provides for skin-tone tights and shoes
- Commitment to work with Artists to eliminate racial stereotypes in repertoire
- Personal pronouns will be used, with a commitment to explore gender-neutral lavatories and dressing facilities
- Established Reverse Weingarten protections
- Established a Joint Committee to address workplace issues throughout the agreement
Scheduling & Artistic Process
- Established casting and scheduling deadlines
- Established deadlines for Artistic Evaluations and notice of reengagement
- 2 complimentary tickets per production
Safety & Well-Being
- Established safety standards for studios, stages, floors, dressing facilities, and other workspaces
- No smoke or fog except effects using water vapor or dry ice
- Established provided levels of physical therapy and Pilates
Artist Rights & Credits
- Artists featured in photos and videos will receive credit and copies of media
- Artists have the right to review featured photos
- Artists have the right to approve their headshots and bios
- No commercial capture without negotiating a separate agreement