AGMA Dancers and Stage Managers at Pacific Northwest Ballet have won their respective new four-year agreements. Dancers see wage increases, stronger employment guarantees, expanded parental leave, meaningful scheduling improvements, and new protections around AI, wellness, and inclusion. Staging Staff also see wage increases and expanded parental leave, plus stronger overtime protections, improved job duties, and important gains in wellness and workplace safety. Both contracts were ratified by the AGMA Board of Governors on July 13, 2026.
Thank you to the negotiating committees and congratulations to the dancers and staging staff!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
DANCERS: Economic Gains
- Apprentices & First-Year Corps Wages
- 5% Year 1
- 3% Year 2
- 25% Year 3
- 3% to 4% based on CPI Year 4
- Corps through Principal Wages
- 15% Year 1
- 3% Year 2
- 3% Year 3
- 3% to 4% based on CPI Year 4
Additional increases include:
- Extraordinary Risk pay increase
- Delegate pay increase
- Seniority pay increase
- Per diem increase
- Health Reimbursement Account increases each year
- Master Class pay increase
DANCERS: New Family Leave & Wellness Benefits
- Comprehensive new parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents
- Full salary during pregnancy
- Twelve weeks paid parental leave at 100% salary in-season
- Additional paid and extended leave available
- Medical coverage continues throughout leave
- Seniority fully protected
- New lactation accommodations
- New sick leave donation program
- Paid jury duty leave
- Expanded work-related injury protections
- Access to licensed mental health professionals throughout the season
DANCERS: Employment & Career Support
- Guaranteed company size increases from 37 to 40 Dancers
- New minimum weekly employment guarantees for Apprentices
- Earlier reengagement notices
- Six weeks to consider contract offers
- Promotions take effect immediately upon public announcement
- Joint Committee receives next season’s calendar by January 15
DANCERS: Inclusion, Safety & AI
- New AI protections preventing Artists’ work from being replaced or duplicated by artificial intelligence
- New guarantee that AI-generated content cannot replace Artist activity
- At least one weekly company class taught by a female-identifying instructor
- Expanded IDEA Committee with regular meetings focused on equity, safety, mentorship, wigs, makeup, and mental health
- Artists not be required to wear makeup or body paint that changes their race or ethnicity
- Improved floor safety protections
- Intimacy Coordinator required when productions include intimate content
DANCERS: Scheduling & Rehearsals
- Daily schedules posted three working days in advance
- Casting posted two weeks before performances
- Every cast guaranteed an in-studio full run
- Earlier access to specialty footwear
- Clearer protections for Principal Understudies
DANCERS: Performance & Touring
- Principal Dancers receive single dressing rooms whenever possible
- Increased stage access before performances
- No artistic notes during intermission
- Guaranteed program credit for all Artists and AGMA
- Guaranteed comp tickets for every local series
- Tour single rooms increase from five to seven
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Economic Gains
- Wage increases
- Year 1: 4.5%
- Years 2 and 3: 3%
- Year 4: 3% to 4% based on CPI
- Seniority increases
- Improved first theater week pay for Production Stage Manager
- Guaranteed wage premium for Stage Managers
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Family Leave & Wellness
- Comprehensive parental leave
- Full pay during pregnancy
- Twelve weeks paid leave for birthing and non-birthing parents in-season
- Additional paid medical leave available
- New lactation protections
- Sick leave donation program
- Paid jury duty leave
- Expanded work-related injury protections
- Access to mental health appointments
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Job Duties & Working Conditions
- Updated job descriptions aligned with industry standards
- Shoe responsibilities phased out by Year 3
- Supernumerary coordination removed by Year 2
- Overtime after 40 hours per week for Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager
- New overnight rest protections
- Updated definition of Work Activity