AGMA has filed an NLRB complaint against Ballet West management alleging bad faith negotiations. Ben Mattison reports in Playbill:

http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/2072.html

Uh, oh...

My complaint about AGMA is that they're not strong enough advocates for dancers but when they are, they sure make a hash of timing and subtlety.

Musician unions usually deal with issues before they become problems but then again they have a bigger budget and better staff.

More (including some salary comparisons) from Celia Baker in the Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2744751

HAHAHA, Me laughing out loud now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are soooooo right Azlan but here is the kicker, AGMA IS A MUSICIAN'S UNION!

LOL! You're right! It's the representation of dancers that needs improvement... I guess musicians pay higher dues!

According to AGMA's web site, the union has contracts with 13 opera companies, 10 dance companies, and 7 concert production companies.

Most professional musicians who belong to a union are protected by the American Federation of Musicians.

I would hazard to guess that the AGMA website does not give the whole picture. There is at least one dance company missing from their list of contracts, and I suspect many more....probably more of an issue about website maintenance.

Actually, this is a good lesson for any group right now looking to downsize a their production season. Best to plan ahead and try and get some language in the contract that reflects that option. A management rights clause isn't always that effective.

Part of me also says, 'hey, it's the union's job to yell - it's management's job to counter' and by golly, the ducks better be in a row if you're pulling that sort of manuever...management would be hard-pressed to cry poor if in the same time they give raises to management.

The dancer salaries mentioned in that article seem excessively low - so low, in fact, that I question their validity, frankly. There must be something hidden in seniority, or some other system. I have absolutely no proof, mind you, but it just seems, well, questionable. I know of some dancers that have left other contracts, and have a rough idea of what they left, to go dance there - and I'm guessing it wasn't just for the scenic views and caffeine and alcohol-free environment....

In the Salt Lake Tribune, Celia Baker reports on the signing of a new AGMA contract with Ballet West:

SL Tribune