January 6, 2006

Washington Ballet Labor Dispute - Comprehensive Internet Resource Guide

Last month The Washington Ballet canceled performances of the Nutcracker due to a serious labor dispute between the dance company and its dancers, who are represented by their union, American Guild of Musical Artists.

In this post, I include a large number of links to news stories, blog postings and community board discussions about this unfortunate, on-going dispute which poses serious challenges to the short and long-term prospects for both The Washington Ballet and its dancers.

Statements from Washington Ballet and American Guild of Musical Artists

In a December 12, 2005 statement on its website, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) describes what it calls a lock-out by The Washington Ballet of its dancers and the cancellation of the Nutcracker.

In a December 14, 2005 statement (PDF file) on its website, The Washington Ballet announces the cancellation of its December 15th performance of the Nutcracker due to what it calls a strike by its dancers.

While you will not find the specific agreement that Washington Ballet and its dancers sign, you can find on the AGMA site many of the complete agreements that are signed by dancers represented by this union and dance companies throughout the US.

Articles in News Publications

I added some additional articles about The Washington Ballet that are not about the Nutcracker feud but provide additional background information.

-- May 3, 2005 - Washington Post - "Washington Ballet's Italian Faux Pas De Deux" (Free registration required for all Washington Post stories)

-- August 31, 2005 - Washington Post - "Going Toe-to-Toe: A Ballerina Charges the Washington Ballet Fired Her for Union Activism"

-- September 16, 2005 - Washington Post - "Washington Ballet Settles With Union Over Firings"

-- December 15 - Washington Post - "Tonight's 'Nutcracker' Canceled In Dispute"

-- December 16, 2005 - Washington Post - "All Toes Point to the Picket Line"

-- December 17, 2005 - The American Observer - "Creating a Legacy, One Step at a Time"

-- December 17, 2005 - Washington Post - "Washington Ballet Cancels 'Nutcracker' Run"

-- December 17, 2005 - The Washington Times - "Labor Battle Ends 'Nutcracker' Run"

-- December 22, 2005 - Washington Post - "Dancers, Ballet Out of Step in Pas de Deux"

-- December 22, 2005 - Washington Post - Letter to the Editor - "Ballet's Battle, Children's Loss"

-- December 24, 2005 - AP - "Washington Ballet to Cancel 2006 Shows"

-- December 24, 2005 - UPI - "Washington Ballet Dispute Escalates"

-- December 24, 2005 - Washington Post - "Ballet Announces '06 Cancellations: Dancers, Who Say They Would Lose About 3 Months' Pay, Seek Injunction"

Dance and Theater Publications

-- December 12, 2005 - Dance Insider - "'Nutcracker' Held Hostage in Washington"

--December 14, 2005 - PlaybillArts - "Labor Dispute Threatens Washington Ballet Nutcracker"

-- December 19, 2005 - PlaybillArts - "Washington Ballet Cancels Entire Nutcracker Run"

-- December 20, 2005 - The Dance Insider - "Yes, Virginia, Dancers too have Rights"

Blogs

-- December 15, 2005 - DCist - "Washington Ballet Cancels Tonight's Nutcracker"

-- December 15, 2005 - Metroblogging DC - "Striking Dancers"

-- December 15, 2005 - The View from 16th Street - "No Cherry Blossom Fairy?"

-- December 16, 2005 - DC Baby - "Bah Humbug! & Weekend Watch"

-- December 16, 2005 - Onward and Upward - "Washington Ballet Cancels Nutcracker"

-- December 17, 2005 - DC Arts Jobs - "Washington Ballet Cancels Entire Nutcracker Run"

-- December 17, 2005 - NET workers - "Washington Ballet Dancers Locked Out!"

-- December 17, 2005 - Newsrack blog -"'Nutcracker' on ice: dancers locked out"

-- December 19, 2005 - The Princess and the Pen - "Nuts to the Nutcracker"

-- December 21, 2005 - Drunken Reveries of a Cynical Mind - "Strikes Everywhere"

-- December 22, 2005 - DC Arts Jobs - "Ballet Remains Dark"

-- December 27, 2005 - Onward and Upward - "Struggles at Washington Ballet Continue"

-- January 2, 2005 - Angel's and Kris' Place - "Holiday Season"

Dance Community Boards - Discussion Threads

-- December 14, 2005 (first post) - Ballet Talk for Dancers - "Labor Pains at The Washington Ballet"

-- December 15, 2005 (first post) - Critical Dance - "Strike/Lock-Out"

Labor Advocacy

-- American Rights at Work - "Take Action - Washington Ballet Dancers Need Your Help"

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