Tensions are rising at the San Francisco Ballet as dancers and stage managers, represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), push for a fair collective bargaining agreement before the December 6 contract expiration. The deadline coincides with the opening night of the company’s cherished holiday production, The Nutcracker. Key issues in the negotiations include wages, workloads, and worker protections, which AGMA has been advocating for over the past five months, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Budget constraints cited by management have stalled progress, leaving dancers frustrated. In protest, they boycotted a recent fundraising gala, instead sending a letter to management and the board chair expressing their dissatisfaction. The San Francisco Ballet has declined to comment on the potential for a strike or related concerns.
AGMA highlights that dancers’ pay classifies many as low-income under California’s housing standards, an untenable situation given San Francisco's high cost of living. "We deserve a workplace that values professional standards—not one that relies on unpaid labor to cut costs," the American Guild of Musical Artists stated in an open letter. The guild also criticized the Ballet for its tradition of using unpaid student dancers in minor roles.
Physical demands compound the financial strain on dancers. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the company paid over $1.3 million in workers’ compensation claims in the 2023–24 season, more than double the amount in 2018–19. Lawsuits filed by former dancers Mathilde Froustey and Ellen Hummel allege a lack of adequate support and protection, underscoring the precarious working conditions.
