Dallas Black Dance Theater said it was working on a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board and the American Guild of Musical Artists, the union representing 10 dancers who were laid off earlier this year.
Georgia Scaife, president of the dance company’s board of directors, said Dallas Black was discussing reinstatement of the fired dancers and back pay as part of the settlement.
“DBDT takes seriously its obligation to ensure that the organization operates transparently and fairly. We welcome the opportunity to resolve labor costs, improve and continue to serve the Dallas community.
The news comes after the NLRB informed the dance company it would file suit unless Dallas Black settles. The NLRB investigated charges filed in June and August by the union.
Kayla Blado, a spokeswoman for the National Labor Relations Board, confirmed that the agency’s Fort Worth office found the accusations against the dance company to be substantiated.
She said in an email that the office found “that the Dallas Black Dance Theater, among other things, unlawfully retaliated against employees for their union activities and that the employer threatened, restrained and coerced the employees, and had fired an employee for union activities.”
Martha Kinsella, legal counsel for the union, said the decision affirms its work.
“AGMA certainly felt it was a tremendous vindication of everything we were saying and the stories the dancers were telling,” she said. “That the region has found merit in the allegations and wishes to file a complaint in the absence of a settlement, and that the regional office has recommended that the agency seek emergency assistance in court of federal district.”
The Dallas City Council is also concerned about the actions taken within the dance company. On October 23, the council temporarily suspended funding of more than $240,000 to Dallas Black.
In another move, the NLRB’s Fort Worth regional office recommended obtaining a temporary injunction against the dance company. If granted, the court order would prevent continued harm from unfair labor practices while the NLRB reviews a case.
The NLRB will continue to work with the dance company and the union to reach a settlement in the coming weeks.
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