<P>Things seem to be nearing a critical stage in the arbitration over the Kimberly Glasco vs National Ballet of Canada affair with the Judge being very critical of the statements made by the Company and Kedulka. The Arbitrator has suggested that the evidence is sufficient for Glasco to be re-instated until a final judgement is arrived at. It seems that the Company has virtually admitted that it misepresented statements by Glasco. He also went out of his way to praise the restraint of Glasco, but raised doubts whether the Arbitrator had the authority to recommend a temporary re-instatement. From a distance I have to say that my sympathies are with Glasco and overall it seems no bad thing to establish that employment law applies to dance companies as well. What do others think? Should ADs have complete autonomy?<P>The Toronto Globe and Mail has the clunkiest URLs ever seen, so go to this URL, scroll down a ways and search on ballet for the two Glasco articles over the past few days.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/hubs/arts.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.theglobeandmail.com/hubs/arts.html</A> <P><p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited 03-31-2000).]

I have long hoped that she would have her day in court and that she would win. His treatment of her (and others) has been atrocious. Ms. Glasco is the one who has stood up to him publicly, but you may be assured there are many others who simply went away whimpering, considering themselves powerless and without sufficient financial backing to stand up for themselves. Arrogant martinets count on this. I think Kudelka is a spoiled child who has no business running a major enterprise. His Swan Lake is an egocentric waste of money, just as it was a waste of my time and money to go to Vancouver to see it last fall. For Kudelka to resign in a fit of pique would be deliciously rewarding. Unfortunately, he will only turn up on the guest choreography circuit if he leaves NBoC and will probably be permitted to blunder into yet another artistic directorship elsewhere, given that there are several open possibilities at present....

A brief article about the judgement on this interim phase of the case. The Judge has dismissed the Company's petition to oppose the Arbitrator's decision. Pending the final judgement, Glasco may be back at work on Monday. <P> <A HREF="http://www.southam.com/montrealgazette/newsnow/cpfs/entertainment/000331/e033138.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.southam.com/montrealgazette/newsnow/cpfs/<BR>entertainment/000331/e033138.html</A> <P><BR>Very interesting to read your views Francis. I understand that, as Glasco feared, the NBoC has got into financial difficulties following the new 'Swan Lake' production. As chance would have it I have just received a mailing from the 'Bring Back Kimberley Glasco Network' which I joined some time ago. If you would like to visit their website, with up-to-date details on the case and some great photos, here is the URL:<P> <A HREF="http://www.kim-glasco.com" TARGET=_blank>www.kim-glasco.com</A> <P><p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited April 28, 2000).]

I think the whole thing is ridiculous! As an expatriot Canadian, it is unbeleivable that Glasco can even challenge the decision of NBoC to let her go. A company, in fact not just in the Arts world, has an absolute right to decide a direction, and then go in that direction. If an employee doesn't get with the program, then I'm sorry, you got to go!<P>Why do dancers, or artist in general, enjoy a "special right" to challenge their "boss"? I've been following the Glasco thing with incredulous disbelief. Love it, or hate it, NBoC went in a direction ... period. Why do they need to apologize to anyone?<P>

Shag, I think that the point is whether she was dismissed because her dancing was no longer of a required standard or because, acting as the Board representative of the dancers, she expressed concerns regarding the financial impact of the expensive, new 'Swan Lake' production.<P>In general, I think employment legislation is a good thing in that employees be given protection against dismaissal for reasons unrelated to the performance of their duties. <BR>Given that, it seems only appropriate that it should apply to dancers as well as the rest. As dancers careers are short, ill-paid and injury prone, there is a case to be made that dancers should have at least the level of employment rights of other professions. I suspect that the general employment legislation framework is very different in the EU and Canada compared with the US. <P>For the Glasco supporters' summary of the Adjudicator's comments on the case itself, this link takes you directly to the relevant section of their website.<P> <A HREF="http://www.kim-glasco.com/reinstatement_update.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.kim-glasco.com/reinstatement_update.htm</A> <P>

Stuart, this is outstanding news. Thanks for the URL to the Gazette. Can't wait for the next move from management....

articles, an interview and updates on this story:<P>march 29 interview with glasco: <A HREF="http://infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_03282000_glascoinvu.phtml" TARGET=_blank>http://infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_03282000_glascoinvu.phtml</A> <P>april 10: does democracy work in the arts? : <A HREF="http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04102000_glascochill.phtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04102000_glascochill.phtml</A> <P>50 Canadian artists condemn the judge's ruling: <A HREF="http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04142000_glasco.phtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04142000_glasco.phtml</A> <P>44 of the 47 dancers in the NB of C have signed a letter putting them at odds with their own union, and appearing to side with kudelka - BUT are they only concerned about losing roles themselves???: <A HREF="http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04202000_glasco.phtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04202000_glasco.phtml</A> <P>at the bottom of this last page, are a lot of links, to all the news stories in succession on this matter, as well as the NBof C site and the kim glasco supporters' site.

As I recall, the dancers with NBofC are very young. At this point in their lives, I think they are primarily concerned about dancing. Who can blame them if they value their immediate careers more than the principles espoused by the union? Or am I out of line here?

Many thanks for the links grace. The Artistic Directors seem to be running scared at the prospect of having to behave like managers elsewhere and manage redundancy situations according to employment law principles. The nonsense is ironic, when one says that it's not a democracy and he doesn't ask the orchestra how fast a piece should be played. As i understand it orchestras have much stronger procedures when there is a concern about the standards of a player and agreed arrangements must be followed.<P>The legal moves by the NBoC dancers are depressing, as they seem to forget that the principles that are being established here will work to their advantage in thelonger term. When the final judgement is given, it may be that a compensation payment for Glasco may be the best outcome, as it is clearly going to be an uncomfortable situation for her, whether Kedulka leaves the Comapny or not.

if you are capable of having any sense of humour about this sad affair (regardless of how seriously you may take it, as i do) have a look at 'smile ' in Fun Stuff...if not, please don't go there!

a 'half-a-million-dollars' vote of confidence in kudelka!<P>"read all about it":<BR> <A HREF="http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04202000_carsen.phtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/dance/dance_04202000_carsen.phtml</A> <P>

This thread brings up several intersting artistic problems:<P>-unions were created for this very reason; to protect dancers against possibly (notice I said POSSIBLY)capricious decisions by artistic directors. HOwever, we must recognize that dance companies have not HISTORICALLY, been democratic entities. Which in the worst case scenario could conceivably mean folks, that if the artistic director doesn't like your perfume that day, you're "outa there".<P>-It's interesting to me that so many dancers have sided against their fellow dancer-odd, you think they would have some empathy for her, as they could one day, of course, be in her shoes...I think the crux of the matter/question is , "why was she fired"?...is it becasue she voted against a production (which as a member of the board is presumeably her perogative) or was it truly because she had become a slacker----(I'm paraphrasing here). Could it be ageism? Also , as a footnote, $100,000 is a fairly good salary for a ballerina, at least by US standards.....!!! Was she living/dancing up to her salary?

oh, for heaven's sake...<P>now (friday 21 april) kudelka says he will 'walk' if forced to cast glasco...<P>how childish this is all becoming.<P>the globe and mail URL is hopelessly long, so if you want to read this (and it IS quite informative), go to (see also end of this message**)<BR> <A HREF="http://archives.theglobeandmail.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://archives.theglobeandmail.com/</A> <P>and enter ballet in the 'Seven day search' box. this news article comes up at the top (well, today it does, anyway...)<P>**it seems to be much quicker to get there thru <BR> <A HREF="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/hubs/arts.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.theglobeandmail.com/hubs/arts.html</A> entering ballet in the Search-7-Days box at the top-left.<P>p.s. trina - my 'oh, for heaven's sake' was NOT in response to YOU(!) - your post popped up while i was writing mine! happy easter! <p>[This message has been edited by grace (edited April 22, 2000).]

Upon reading further, it appears that there is no documentation to support the claim that Ms.Glasco's dancing was lacking (as what was stated in the official statment of why she was fired)...it appears that this was "politics as usual"....very sad,,,I guess dancers are just supposed to act like obedient little children and never state an opinion or act like they might have an idea in their head. Unfortunate...and also unforutnate that her fellow dancers feel compelled to run the other way.

I cannot sit by and not pick up the obviously unpopular cugjol (sp?).<P>I don't care why she was fired!!!! It is an employer's right to weed out employees that do not fit with the vision as long as its not based on a protected class (gender, race, religion, sexual orientation etc.) The BD chose to go in a direction. An employee has a choice ... stay and change or leave to go where you want. This is not professional sports, the only career that limits free movement of workers. The Bd put there butts on the line with a choice, Kudelka. If they fail, they will be held accountable. The audience will vote with their wallets. Dancers, ironically, will vote with their feet and leave.<P>I am Canadian living in America. The coddling that occurs in the Great White North of employees, guaranteeing amenities without regard for being a good employee is one of the main reasons I left and why I believe Canada breads mediocraty. I am disturbed that no one else has piped up that this is a disgruntled employee who disagrees with the direction of her employer yet believes she has the right to alter the direction in her favour.<P>She has one right ... to leave!