A protest was held outside Phoenix Dance Theatre today in Leeds after the company announced it was set to undergo a "creative pause". The move would have seen dancers laid off and some put on contracts paying just £100 per month.
Equity, the trade union for performing arts and entertainment held a demonstration outside the entrance to the theatre in St Cecilia Street around 9am this morning. The union demanded that the company halt their decision after two permanent members of staff faced a layoff.
In just a matter of hours, the dance school has reversed their decision to hold the pause and the layoffs have been stopped. The announcement was made on Twitter by Equity's North East and Yorkshire Regional branch.
The creative pause was due to come into effect from June 2022 to January 2023. The union stated that six dancers had their contracts ended following the company's final 40th-anniversary performance.
The demo came during Equity's Annual Representative Conference (ARC) which was held in Leeds from Saturday, May 21 until Monday May 23. An emergency motion was unanimously passed at ARC in favour of the union continuing to challenge Phoenix Dance Theatre management to treat staff fairly, reverse its decision on layoffs and engage in proper and meaningful negotiations.
The move comes not long after Andrew Lloyd Webber faced major criticism online after his Cinderella shows announced they were ending via social media, leaving performers and staff devastated.
Phoenix Dance Theatre issued a statement regarding the decision. Saying they disagree with Equity's account of what happened.
The statement in full reads:
"Phoenix Dance Theatre is proud of our 40-year history as a pioneer in the contemporary dance sector. Over the past four decades the company has changed and evolved but has always maintained a commitment to producing world-class contemporary dance and to providing opportunities for professional and emerging artists and for children and young people.
"We have faced significant challenges over the past two years, including the Covid-19 pandemic and changes in leadership. As a result, we find it necessary to undertake a strategic review, reconnecting and engaging with our audiences and charting a course for the future.
"The artistic viewpoint will be at the heart of this process, with Dane Hurst leading our engagement with arts stakeholders. To make space for that we will not be proceeding with our usual autumn tour and will be returning to the stage in the new year. Our education work will continue, and we look forward to launching our 40th-anniversary book, virtual exhibition and three digital works later this year.
"Following the decision to pause some of our creative output we entered a confidential process of consultation with impacted members of the team. A proposal to lay off the individuals concerned was considered but ultimately the decision has been made to halt this process and maintain their jobs whilst the review is undertaken. As a company, we are committed to safeguarding jobs wherever possible and to ensure the company is in a position to offer an increased number of creative roles in the future.
"We are deeply disappointed that Equity chose to make public a confidential process as this has had a detrimental impact on the whole staff team. Equity have been involved from the beginning of the consultation process and our aim was only ever to engage with them and our team in a meaningful way. We strongly refute their account of our actions and remain committed to supporting the whole Phoenix team as we move forwards."
Dominic Bascombe, Equity's Regional Official for North East, Yorkshire and Humberside, who represented Equity members said: "I am absolutely delighted that Phoenix Dance Theatre has decided to stop the layoffs of dancers and the creative team.
"We have tried our best to support them over the past few weeks and have coordinated a public campaign alongside the TUC Yorkshire team to raise the profile of the situation.
"They have been overwhelmed by the support of the public, trade unionists and fair minded people everywhere. When we stand together we can achieve. If you're not in a union, find one to join. If you are in a union already, be an activist."
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