Dear Jon and Wendy,

We are writing to inform you that we have collectively chosen not to attend the red carpet or the dinner at the Fall Fashion Gala tonight in light of the current state of negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement with NYCB.

Since we began bargaining in May, our goal has been to improve our collective bargaining agreement to prioritize the well-being and financial security of AGMA Artists. We have approached this negotiation with a problem-solving attitude, listening and responding to management’s feedback to find solutions that meet the needs of all parties. While we appreciate the many tentative agreements we have reached, we are concerned by the lack of progress in bargaining on compensation that reflects the rising costs of inflation.

During our last bargaining session on Monday, October 6, we reduced our original economic proposals to present an economic package that balances NYCB’s interests and moves us closer to ensuring we can afford to live in New York City and do our best work for the company.

However, management’s negotiating team has responded to our economic proposal with proposed wage increases that fail to address the steep and ongoing cost-of-living increases in New York City. Their proposed percentage increases fall far short of what AGMA Artists at nearly any other dance company nationwide have secured over the past twelve months, despite most of those companies operating without the financial stability that NYCB enjoys. In short, this current proposal does not reflect the value, dedication, or professional expertise that NYCB dancers and stage managers bring to this institution.

We ask you to please reflect on the company’s priorities and consider the dancers and stage managers. We hope for your understanding and support as we continue working toward a resolution that serves all parties fairly and promptly.

Respectfully,

The AGMA Artists of New York City Ballet

Victor Abreu, Sara Adams, Dominika Afanasenkov, Devin Alberda, Tyler Angle, Olivia Bell, Mckenzie Bernardino Soares, Kate Bivens,Olivia Boisson, Gilbert Bolden III, India Bradley, Preston Chamblee, Christina Clark, Harrison Coll, Lauren Collett, Nieve Corrigan, Naomi Corti, Adrian Danchig-Waring, Simeon Daniel Neeld, Gabriella Domini, Savannah Durham, Meaghan Dutton-O’Hara, Mary Elizabeth Sell, Ariel Erez, Oscar Estep, Megan Fairchild, Owen Flacke, Jovani Furlan, David Gabriel, Emilie Gerrity, Peyton Gin, Joseph Gordon, Christopher Grant, Sierra Griffith, Eli Raphael Gruska, Laine Habony, Sarah Harmon, Kennard Henson, Ashley Hod, Corbin Holloway, Spartak Hoxha, Anthony Huxley, Allegra Inch, Baily Jones, Becket Jones, Keenan Kiefer, Emily Kikta, Claire Kim, Charlie Klesa, Alec Knight, Isabella LaFreniere, Ashley Laracey, Ruby Lister, Malorie Lundgren, Jules Mabie, Alston Macgill, Olivia MacKinnon, Laina Mae Kirkeide, Shelby Mann, Jenelle Manzi, Alexa Maxwell, Noah McAuslin, Sara Mearns, Roman Mejia, Samuel Melnikov, Hugo Mestres, Maya Milić, Miriam Miller, Vanessa Mlyniec, Mira Nadon, Lars Nelson, Tiler Peck, Angelina Pellini, Erica Pereira, Alexander Perone, Unity Phelan, Davide Riccardo, Lucie Richard, Aarón Sanz, Ava Sautter, Grace Scheffel, Troy Schumacher, Kristen Segin, Anna Snellgrove, Taylor Stanley, Quinn Starner, KJ Takahashi, Kylie Takeno Williams, Kennedy Targosz, Mary Thomas MacKinnon, Ryan Tomash, Rommie Tomasini, Daniel Ulbricht, Kylie Vernia, Sebastián Villarini-Vélez, Emma Von Enck, Claire Von Enck, Chun Wai Chan, Huscia Waldman, Peter Walker, Kloe Walker, Cainan Weber, Mia Williams, Shane Williams, Indiana Woodward. and Andres Zuniga