Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AGMA and Dance Theatre of Harlem Jointly Announce First Collective Bargaining Agreement in Decades

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Dance Theatre of Harlem announced the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement, marking their first union contract in many years.

Ratified by the company artists of Dance Theatre of Harlem and approved by Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Board of Directors and AGMA’s Board of Governors, the new agreement reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence, equity, sustainability and the long-term well-being of the company artists. The Dance Theatre of Harlem company artists were formerly AGMA members for more than a decade starting in the late 1980s, but this agreement marks their first union contract in many years.

“As the company’s first union contract in decades, this agreement reflects a renewed commitment to collaboration and care,” said AGMA delegates and company artists Micah Bullard, Delaney Washington and David Wright. “We’re proud of what this contract secures for the dancers of Dance Theatre of Harlem today and the strong foundation it lays for the future.”

The agreement includes a new compensation structure resulting in average wage increases of 29% effective July 1, 2026, and additional wage increases in subsequent years; establishes clear standards around scheduling and rest; strengthens health and safety protections; provides meaningful improvements to touring conditions; and creates new, structured channels for dialogue between artists and board leadership, strengthening transparency, mutual understanding and shared stewardship of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s mission.

“This agreement is a unique example of what’s possible when artists and management come to the table with a shared commitment to partnership,” said Jeffrey Boyd, AGMA national executive director. “What makes this contract especially meaningful is not only what it achieves on paper, but the spirit in which it was reached—a spirit that we look forward to building on together in the years ahead.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/05/2026 - 10:13

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Fenway Concessions Workers Ratify New Contract

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

After months of work stoppages and negotiations, UNITE HERE Local 26 members at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall closed out 2025 with a powerful five-year agreement.

The new deal with food services contractor Aramark establishes the largest wage increases in the history of the historic baseball park. Automation was another core sticking point in bargaining and members successfully secured new provisions that set staff oversight standards for new technology.

“It came out well in the end, we got a fair contract,” said Austin Petruzziello, a Fenway vendor. “It's not just about the higher wages, it's about the respect as well. We now have staffing mandates and stable schedules so no one's getting overworked like they were before.”

“And together we were able to reach an agreement that the tech will still be there so that fans can get their beer a little bit faster, but our members aren’t gonna bear the cost of that,” said Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo. “And I think that is a model that really should exist in any discussion of technology in the workplace. And I am so proud of our members, who had to have some tough conversations about this, who were able to get to a place where we were able to settle the agreement on tech.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/06/2026 - 09:27

Tags: Organizing