New York City Ballet Orchestra Authorizes Strike

UPPER WEST SIDE — A Lincoln Center orchestra hoping to strike the right note on contract negotiations has voted overwhelmingly to strike, the musicians's union announced.

The New York City Ballet orchestra voted to authorize a strike Wednesday, about one week after their contract expired on Aug. 31 and two weeks before the fall 2023 season is slated to begin, according to American Federation of Musicians president Tino Gagliardi.

"They are not being offered the wages and benefits they deserve and are instead being asked to make financial concessions once again," Gagliardi said. "This is insulting and unacceptable, and musicians are fighting back.”

The New York City Ballet called the decision "very unfortunate" and argued Local 802 had misrepresented the current state of negotiations.

"While we prefer to negotiate at the bargaining table and not in the media, Local 802’s public misrepresentations require us to set the record straight," a spokesperson said, adding, "We look forward to working with Local 802 towards reaching a mutually beneficial agreement."

Musicians note negotiations arrived on the heels of a year without pay during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown that was followed upon their return with a 15 percent wage cut.

New York City Ballet argues Local 802 was to blame for the year without pay as they demanded full pay, declined to negotiate, took the issue to arbitration and lost. The company also said it provided retroactive relief payments to the musicians in one lump sum.

But musicians argue the current offer on the table isn't in harmony with the financial outlook of the New York City Ballet, which has a $263 million endowment and received more than $10 million in federal relief funds during the pandemic.

The musicians are asking supporters to sign a public petition that had garnered about 1,800 signatures as of Wednesday morning.

"These musicians bring the magic of live music to the most celebrated dancers, night after night," the petition reads. "They are cultural ambassadors who help make New York City the artistic capital of the world."

Meanwhile, the New York City Ballet says orchestra members’s weekly salary is slightly higher than it was in 2020 and the new deal includes perks such as the restoration of vacation pay and a 3 percent wage increase for the 2023-2024 season.

The New York City Ballet's fall 2023 season is slated to begin on Sept. 19 with what they're calling a monthlong "Balanchine extravaganza."

Before then, Local 802 President Sara Cutler, who represents the musicians, hopes the New York Ballet management will reconsider their dealings with the musicians.

"We’ll do everything in our power to assist these courageous musicians," said Cutler, "in their fight for the dignity and respect they deserve.”