Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers boycotted the company’s annual fundraising gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., last Tuesday, the Washington Post reports. The boycott was motivated by wage and benefits negotiations. 

According to a press release issued by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the union that represents the dancers, the Ailey dancers and stage managers began negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement in December. 

"Artists of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater boycotted the company’s annual gala reception at the Kennedy Center last night based on management’s failure to adequately address the group’s substandard wages and benefits," the release read in part. "The dancers and stage managers, represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), began negotiations in December for a new collective bargaining agreement, with the current one expiring on May 31st, 2018."

To help publicize their push, the Ailey dancers and stage managers represented by AGMA created an Instagram account called Artists of Ailey last week that highlights their stories. 

Sean Aaron Carmon: with two new works premiering this month — one in Houston, TX, for @houstonmetdance and another in Richmond, VA for @universitydancers_ur — Sean is keeping busy, even while on tour with AAADT. Being tired isn’t the hardest part though. “Leaving my pup behind gets more and more difficult with every tour.” Sherlock (my pup) has been with me for two years now; he even comes with me when I teach or choreograph. All the dancers and directors love him! I’ve actually allowed him to roam during my warm-up and he’s inspired quite a few improv moments in classes with my younger students!” . It’s All Puppy Love With Sean Aaron Carmon @hookedonsean Catch Him In A City Near You . ????: @benhamoujulien1 : @ericpolitzer . #ArtistsOfAiley #ReachingForTheStandard #UnionStrong #AGMA #AGMADancers

A post shared by Artists Of Ailey A.O.A (@artistsofailey) on Feb 9, 2018 at 10:35am PST

 

AGMA's members hope that their negotiations lead to higher wages. Leonard Egert, the national executive director of AGMA, said the Alvin Ailey dancers "earn much less than dancers at comparable companies." 

"It is very concerning that Ailey’s artists, predominately African American dancers, earn much less than dancers at comparable companies with similar or even smaller budgets," he said. "Management needs to promptly address this glaring disparity.”

Griff Braun, AGMA’s New York Dance Executive, added that the dancers put on 175 to 200 performances per year, with one-third to one-half fewer dancers than other major companies. 

Robert Battle, Ailey’s artistic director, told the Washington Post that he is unconcerned that the public struggle will damage the company, calling Ailey a "family" that will "get through it."

"So many things are emotional, and I think we’re in a very emotional and tense time in the country, and so this is a natural part of a process,” Battle said. “We will get through it, because there’s a reason that the Alvin Ailey dance company has withstood the test of time. We’re a big family, and sometimes we just need to talk, you know what I’m saying?”