Pay Me What You Owe Me, the Alvin Ailey Edition
Alvin Ailey dancers believe that they get paid 35% less than other dance companies.
The Alvin Ailey dancers are waiting for their contracts to expire May 31, 2018. On May 25th 32 of the companies dancers protested for better pay in front of the dance theater in New York City.
The dancers put on more concerts than any other dance companies and have a smaller number of dancers but still are paid significantly less than the less popular companies.
The dancers have also created a social media campaign with the hashtag #reachingforthestandard. The contracts have been being negotiated since December 2017. Alvin Ailey representatives say that they “remain committed to reaching an agreement that is both fair and sustainable.”
Despite this statement there have been no decisions made.
Rising senior at St.John’s University, Kayla Smith is an aspiring journalist originally from Baltimore, Maryland.
