 |
||
 |
|
|
By Ben Mattison
14 Dec 2005
The long-running labor dispute between the Washington Ballet and its newly unionized dancers may result in the cancellation of upcoming performances of The Nutcracker.
According to the American Guild of Musical Artists, which has represented the dancers since an NLRB-sponsored vote in February, dancers demanded at a meeting on December 12 that the company sign an interim agreement as negotiations toward a long-term contract continued. At the meeting, AGMA executive director Alan Gordon told the company that it would not be safe for dancers to continue performing without an agreement that includes safety protections.
In response, according to AGMA, the company canceled rehearsals yesterday and today and suggested that all of the scheduled Nutcracker performances may be canceled. The company has also told dancers that if it accedes to union demands it may be forced to cancel the entire 2006-07 season, AGMA claims.
A Washington Ballet spokesperson said today that no performances have yet been canceled. "It is our obvious hope that the show will go on as scheduled and we all are working diligently to that end," she said by email.
AGMA claims that without a contract, dancers are subject to an "unlimited rehearsal and performance schedule" and that the meeting on December 12 looked "like a conglomeration of the walking wounded."
AGMA president Linda Mays said in a statement, "At a tremendous cost to the Company and its loyal audience, management has forced the dancers into a work stoppage by making them choose between what they love to do, perform, and protecting their health and careers."
Washington Ballet's Nutcracker runs through December 24 at the Warner Theatre. The next performance is scheduled for December 15.
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2009 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.