Washington Ballet, Union Easily Reach a Contract

In a three-day process bearing no resemblance to the drawn-out and bitter labor dispute of two years ago, the Washington Ballet and its dancers have signed a new contract, the ballet announced yesterday. The three-year agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists will go into effect Aug. 1.

"I'm extremely pleased at how healthful the negotiations were and how quickly we were able to reach agreement on the contract," said Artistic Director Septime Webre, speaking during a break from rehearsals at the Harman Center, where the ballet begins performances tonight. "I think it's a reflection of all the hard work we've put in over the last few years."

Added Executive Director Kay Kendall, formerly the board president: "I think everyone learned from the previous process, and no one wanted to go through that again."

The new pact was ratified last week by the dancers and the ballet's executive committee. It has not yet been voted upon by the ballet's board of directors or by AGMA's national board of governors, though approval is expected by both parties. Under the agreement, the dancers will receive a 4 percent pay raise in the first year, followed by a 4.5 percent raise each of the following two years. Sick leave was also increased. The dancers agreed to concessions on such points as when schedules will be announced and, in the event of out-of-town tours, how early in the day they can travel.

Eleni Kallas, the guild's mid-Atlantic area representative, said signing a contract before the current one has expired was "precedent-setting." This was possible, she said, because unlike during the ballet's first union talks, which resulted in the cancellation of part of the lucrative "Nutcracker" run and other performances, no lawyers were present during negotiations.

"We felt we'd try these negotiations without an attorney and see what happened," Kallas said. "When you have that kind of rapport with the company you know you're on the right track."

For Kendall, the new contract puts a measure of closure on her term as executive director, a post she has held since last spring. A search committee has formed to find her replacement, and she says she intends to step down as soon as a candidate has been hired.