The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Atlanta Ballet was approved by AGMA leadership on August 12, 2024, after being ratified by the shop. Check out the joint release between the Union and the Company.
Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 4-year agreement!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS:
- Introduction of Exit Pay for Artists who have worked with the company for 5 or more years.
- New pay structure where the entry level compensation rate will be eliminated by the third year. This successfully eliminates all entry level rates from the past (Apprentice, New Dancer, etc.) that were once up to 50% below the non-entry rate.
- New minimum compensation (non-entry) rate raised to meet the current Living Wage in the Atlanta area, and increased by 2.5% each year.
- Returning dancers for each season will receive minimum increases of 6%, 4%, 3%, 3% over 4 years.
- Returning dancers will receive additional 1% as Longevity Pay in Year 2 and later, resulting in effective increases of 6%, 5%, 4%, 4% over 4 years.
- All miscellaneous fees (OT, extraordinary risk, etc.) brought close to or above the current peer average over 4 years.
- Social Media Takeover fee of $100.
- Physical Maintenance Allowance has been increased and will include reimbursement for required stage make-up, haircut, or hair supplies.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Increased travel time between 2 work locations if hair, make-up, or costumes are required.
- Shoe design and paint/dye color to be communicated by the last working day before rehearsals in the theater. Artists not required to prepare and wear the shoes if less than a 20-hour notice is given.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS:
- Pregnant dancers are to continue rehearsing and performing until they elect to take leave or until they’re unable to perform essential functions of their job.
- Maternity Pay increased from 50% to 60% of the weekly salary. (Artists may still use Sick Leave, which Artists can carry over up to 8 days a year and accumulate up to 90 days.)
- Non-birthing parent leave increased from 10 to 15 days.
- The Employer must give advance notice with a template language before discussing Artists' weight, diet, or nutrition and offer information or resources for nutritional or mental health support.