BY MAXWELL SCHUSS
Musical chants echoed across Lincoln Center Plaza Tuesday evening, as the New York City Ballet Orchestra gathered to advocate for a wage increase after their pay was slashed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City Ballet opened its 2023 season on Tuesday and the orchestra firmly believes they deserve a fair contract for the losses that they suffered during the pandemic. “The Ballet musicians have made enormous sacrifices in service of their organization,” said Stephanie Mortimore, chair of the Metropolitan Opera Players Committee. “They went without pay for 15 months, took a 15% pay cut in 2021 and currently work for about 9% less than they did in 2019.”
During the pandemic, the orchestra and the union agreed to a wage cut out of fear of losing their jobs entirely and to help ensure the NYC Ballet did not fall onto hard times. However, the Ballet is currently experiencing record-breaking ticket sales, fundraising, and it received more than $10 million in support from the government during the pandemic. “Their budgets have increased and audiences are back at pre-pandemic levels,” said Mortimore. “What has not increased is the salary of the world-class New York City Ballet Orchestra musicians.” Contract negotiations between the union and ballet management have stalled as the orchestra has asked to return to pre-pandemic wages, as well as an increase that accounts for inflation.
The season opened with George Balanchine’s “Jewels” and the orchestra gathered outside the David Koch Theater where the performance took place. Union members delivered speeches, as the orchestra chanted and played music in solidarity.
“The pandemic has not been kind to us,” Ned Hanlon, President of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) told the rally. “With the performing arts industry shut down, it was artists who bore the brunt of it and were among the last to return to work. Now that the city ballet is back, it’s time for them to do the right thing and offer a fair contract to the orchestra.”
The NYC Ballet has disputed multiple claims made by the orchestra and the union. In a September 6th story from PlayBill, ballet management stated that they paid all of their employees during entirety of the 2020 spring season, as well as engaged in agreements for relief payments. They hold the belief that the orchestra has not negotiated as other unions have and that their ask for full payment for a years-worth of canceled ballet performances is undeserved.
Julia DeRosa is the principal oboe player for the New York City Ballet Orchestra and believes this behavior is shameful and disrespectful to one of the greatest orchestras in the world. “Live up to your own words, your orchestra musicians are a vital part of your excellence. Treat them that way.”