New York City Ballet and Musicians Union Reach Contract Deal

The New York Times is reporting that New York City Ballet and the NYC musicians' union AFM Local 802 have reached a deal for a new contract.

According to the announcement, made this afternoon, the two parties have reached a three-year deal that includes a pay increase of approximately 22 percent over the course of three years. The new contract is expected to be ratified by members of the musicians union. 

The two parties said in a joint statement, “The marriage of music and dance is a hallmark of N.Y.C.B. We are thrilled that this agreement has been finalized and we look forward to a successful season featuring our wonderful musicians and dancers who are among the greatest performers in the world.”

Prior to the new agreement, the orchestra members maintained that they were working under an expired contract for 9 percent below their 2019 compensation. The union fought for proper compensation for the musicians after going without pay for 15 months during the pandemic, then submitting to a 15 percent pay cut.

Like many cultural institutions, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the NYCB to cancel hundreds of performances, resulting a loss of approximately $55 million in ticket sales. According to the union, at the time of the cuts, the ballet's endowment was worth $263 million, in addition to more than $10 million in taxpayer-funded pandemic support.

The deal will also include an updated healthcare plan that would “continue to be funded by N.Y.C.B. while also providing the musicians with greater independence to choose their own plan.”

The resolution comes after months of conflict between the union and ballet management. Earlier this fall, after voting for a strike authorization, the musicians union held massive public rallies, including one in September that flooded the sidewalk of Lincoln Center with hundreds of musicians, union allies and supporters on the opening night of the ballet's 75th season. That rally was attended by many of NYC's biggest labor unions, including members of AGMA, SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guild of America, Actors Equity, IATSE, and others.