A legacy in dispute - News - costumes, sets from Ballet Russes

Dance Magazine, Dec, 2002 by Marina Brown

After numerous rounds of negotiations that began as early as February, the union representing the Rockettes, the American Guild of Variety Artists, reached a new contract agreement with the Rockettes' employer, Radio City Entertainment, at the end of the summer. Fortunately for New York audiences, the agreement came in time to allow the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular to proceed without a strike. Unfortunately for forty-one veteran Rockettes, however, the pact signaled the end of their traditional roster system and took away their job security.

All forty-one dancers were guaranteed places on the kick line for this year's show, but only 40 percent can count on a spot for next year, and there will be no places reserved in following years. The agreement mandates that veteran Rockettes must audition annually. (The 200 Rockettes who perform in other states must audition each year. See "Christmas Spectacular Kicks Off Across America," page 56.)

For Rockettes who dance in the Christmas Spectacular across the country, there is some good news, because the agreement marks the first time a national contract has been established. Previously, contracts were divided between New York Rockettes and those in satellite markets. Now all Rockettes will receive benefits.

Radio City Entertainment agreed to buy out the New York roster for a total of $2 million. Payments to individual dancers range from $30,000 to $120,000 and will be distributed based on length of service. Under the original buyout proposal, dancers were offered $3,000 for each year of employment, which they unanimously rejected.

Some veteran Rockettes say that the decision to dismantle the roster system shows an underestimation of the value that years of experience bring to achieving a uniform look for the Christmas Spectacular. Debby Murphy, a Rockette for twelve years and a union representative notes, "We are an American icon. We are the heart of New York, like the Empire State Building and the Yankees. We are a precision dance team. It takes a lot of work to get everyone together, and we may lose the standard with Rockettes walking in and out under an open door policy. Precision is what has made us famous for seventy-five years."