San Francisco Ballet artists negotiating ahead of contract expiry, Nutcracker run - union

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) union said on 26th November 2024 that the San Francisco Ballet’s artists are in collective negotiations with the company management ahead of their contract expiry on 6th December, the same day of the opening of The Nutcracker.

“For five months and counting, the AGMA Dancers and Stage Managers of San Francisco Ballet have been fighting for a collective bargaining agreement that prioritizes our well-being and financial stability. While we have made some progress in other areas of the contract, we have yet to see sufficient enough movement that reflects the gravity of our proposals aimed at addressing these fundamental issues. We have continuously been met with the position that it is simply not within the budget to support the Artists in the way we are asking. Management’s refusal to meaningfully engage with us risks the very foundation of what makes San Francisco Ballet one of the most respected ballet companies in the world,” the AGMA said on its website.

The same text is posted on AGMA’s and Dancers of San Francisco Ballet’s Instagram accounts.

The Nutcracker run may be affected if a fair agreement is not reached by then, the AGMA said.

In general, the seasonal Nutcracker shows are the most profitable for many ballet companies.

The San Francisco Chronicles newspaper reported in August that two former San Francisco Ballet dancers, Mathilde Froustey and Ellen Hummel filed lawsuits against the San Francisco Ballet Association and its company physician, alleging medical negligence resulting in permanent injuries.