A timeline of the conflict between the Dallas Black Dance Theater and the fired dancers, union

Dallas Black Dance Theater has been in a months-long dispute with dancers after they voted unanimously to unionize with the American Guild of Musical Artists in May.

The dancers say the company has retaliated against them for their union efforts with actions such as firing a dancer and cutting off additional income streams. Now, the National Labor Relations Board has found the union’s allegations against the company to be well founded.

Here’s a timeline of what happened between the dancers and the dance company this year:

April 30, 2024: AGMA informs dance company management that most of the dancers have authorized AGMA to represent them.

May 29, 2024: The dancers vote unanimously for unionization. The dance company does not voluntarily recognize the union. This prompts the dancers to seek recognition through an election at the National Labor Relations Board.

June 3, 2024: AGMA files an unfair labor practice charge against the dance company.

July 1, 2024: The company’s principal dancers sign letters of intent with Dallas Black Dance Theater for the 2024-2025 season.

July 15, 2024: The dance company is laying off Sean Smith, a company principal dancer and rehearsal director who has been with the company for 14 years.

From left, Elijah Lancaster, Nile Ruff, Terrell Rogers, Gillian Clifford and Sean J. Smith,... — From left, Elijah Lancaster, Nile Ruff, Terrell Rogers, Gillian Clifford and Sean J. Smith, dancers who were recently fired from Dallas Black Dance Theater, pose for a photo at Arts Mission Oak Cliff in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 AGMA, which represents the fired dancers, says it is a response to union efforts by the dancers. DBDT says the furloughs are due to an Instagram thread by dancers that violated company policies.(Juan Figueroa / Staff photographer)

August 1, 2024: AGMA files several unfair labor practice charges against the dance company.

August 9, 2024: Dallas Black Dance Theater lays off entire main company of dancers and posts on an audition ad on Instagram. The dance company cites an Instagram video posted by the dancers as the reason for the firing. The dancers say they were fired because of their union efforts.

August 12, 2024: AGMA files several unfair labor practice charges against the dance company and issues a restraining order. The order means members of AGMA and other unions such as Actors’ Equity could face consequences such as fines or loss of union membership if they work for the dance company.

Tevita Uhatafe (front), with union members, elected officials and allies from... — Tevita Uhatafe (front), with union members, elected officials and community allies participate in a rally for the Dallas Black Dance Theater with theater dancers, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Dallas. Dancers at the Dallas Black Dance Theater have been fired over an Instagram video that the union says is a response to unionizing the dancers.(Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)

August 17, 2024: Dallas Black Dance Theater is holding auditions to replace fired dancers. Nearly 200 protesters are marching outside the building during auditions.

August 19, 2024: The Dallas County Inspector General’s Division of the City Attorney’s Office receives a request to investigate the company’s firing of dancers.

September 10, 2024: Dallas Black Dance Theater files suit against AGMA.

October 11, 2024: Dallas Black Dance Theater is holding its first performance of the season, Dance Africa. Dozens of protesters from labor organizationsincluding the Dallas AFL-CIO, Actors’ Equity Association, Young Active Labor Leaders and the American Federation of Musicians picketing outside Moody Performance Hall. Picketers also distributed flyers explaining what happened to the fired dancers. AGMA says they will picket every dance company performance.

October 7, 2024: The Dallas City Attorney General’s Division released a 348-page report of the findings of an investigation into the firing of the dancers earlier this year. The report includes a timeline of events surrounding the firings, as well as evidence including termination letters, the dance company handbook, and interviews with fired dancers, union representatives and DBDT Board President Georgia Scaife.

October 23, 2024: The Dallas City Council is putting a break for about $248,000 in funding the dance company due to concerns about firing dancers.

October 28, 2024: Dallas Black Dance Theater expresses interest in reaching a settlement.

October 29, 2024: Dallas Black Dance Theater and AGMA meet to discuss settlement.

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