Australian Ballet dancers vote for industrial action

Dancers have taken the rare step to go public with their campaign to protect their pay from the rising cost of living.

Dancers of the Australian Ballet have taken steps towards ­industrial action in a dispute with management, as they seek to ensure future pay keeps up with the rising cost of living.

In a rare move, the dancers have voted to go public with their campaign to protect a ­“financial safety net” that guarantees their pay rises in line with inflation.

The dancers voted overwhelmingly in support of protected industrial action to safeguard their pay, having earlier agreed to accept pay cuts to assist the company through the pandemic when dozens of performances were cancelled.

Their industrial action began last week with a campaign on social media, saying that “financial security is worth fighting for”.

The MEAA union said the Australian Ballet was seeking to strike out a clause in an enterprise bargaining agreement that ensures dancers’ pay will at least rise each year by the annual CPI.

“Throughout negotiations dancers at every level of the company have told management of their serious concerns about their financial insecurity, with many describing how they live from pay cheque to pay cheque,” said MEAA Equity director Michelle Rae.

“Management still refuses to provide workable solutions which has disappointed dancers given they also reminded management that many dancers’ savings had been wiped out after they had agreed to significant pay cuts and wage freezes during Covid to ensure the company’s survival.”

The MEAA said dancers were seeking a “fair pay rise” to reflect the increased cost of living and dancers’ past wage cuts during Covid.

Management has offered a pay increase of 1 per cent this year, rising to 3 per cent next year, but without the “top up” to keep pace with CPI increases.

The Australian Ballet does not allow its dancers to speak against the company, but the MEAA said 91 per cent of them had voted to go public with their pay dispute.

“They have immense pride in their work and their company, but as management continues to reject their reasonable and modest claims, they have been left no other choice,” Ms Rae said.

The dancers have not agreed to future industrial action, but the union said measures could include stopping all work, including performances.

Dancers and management are due to meet again in coming weeks.

The Australian Ballet was contacted for comment.