Open letter from the employees of the Dutch National Ballet

Dear Union Representatives and Readers,

We, the dancers and all the employees of the Dutch National Ballet, urgently write this open letter, drawing attention to the financial challenges we face. We humbly ask for structural solutions that secure our financial stability.

Arts have always held a significant place in society, enriching our lives, challenging perceptions, and fostering cultural dialogue. As a leading ballet company in the Netherlands and worldwide, we have witnessed the profound impact of our performances on the audience, dedicating ourselves to ensuring the highest quality of our work. The Dutch National Ballet strives to attract and retain high-level dancers and staff, who are crucial to the artistic excellence we aim to achieve. The current financial difficulties present a significant obstacle to maintaining decent living conditions, jeopardizing our ability to deliver exceptional performance and affecting the status of HNB as sought-after workplace. Our physical abilities and mental well-being are strongly affected by the burden of worrying about the high cost of living and struggling to make ends meet.

Amsterdam, one of the world’s most expensive cities, presents significant challenges with soaring housing prices and ever-increasing expenses. Despite numerous attempts to negotiate fair raises with management, we have been told that there needs to be more funding to accommodate our request. Due to the limitation of the current salary scales many of us find ourselves reaching the maximum increment within a few years, rapidly leading to stagnant salaries. The estimate average net income of the dancers and staff of 2.700€ per month is insufficient to sustain decent living conditions or support starting a family. As a result, many dancers and staff members, unable to afford a mortgage or live on their own, are forced to share houses and have roommates even after being part of the company for ten years.
This issue is particularly concerning for us, who have committed years to highly specific training, starting very young and dedicating our teenage years to the profession. Our job doesn’t leave much space to cultivate other interests and skills; retraining for a new career becomes necessary after retirement. Unfortunately, the current situation does not allow for the creation of a stable basis of life to face a career change. In addition, the increasing costs of living in the city and the depletion of resources due to inflation over the past years have left many of us struggling to make ends meet. Inflation erodes the purchasing power and directly affects the financial stability of individuals. While other government institutions received adequate raises to cope with rising costs, the art sector is being overlooked.

At the end of 2022, our union representatives initiated discussions with the NAPK to address the pressing issue of inflation compensation. While the NAPK expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, unfortunately, its members were not prepared to reach a sector-wide agreement with the Kunstenbond, preventing a much needed immediate financial relief. We are asking for a sufficient salary adjustment to make it possible to maintain an acceptable living standard in this city. Currently, the inflation rate is approximately 12%, and it is important to note that a 12% salary increase is insufficient to match Amsterdam’s high living costs. This was an issue even before the impact of COVID-19. Simply matching the inflation rate will not provide us with the necessary resources to maintain a decent living in Amsterdam. It is crucial to recognize that our current salaries are inadequate to meet the rising expenses and ensure a sustainable livelihood in this city. New Collective Labor Agreement (CAO) negotiations are set to begin soon. That is why we are writing this open letter to raise awareness and emphasis the importance of fair compensation for all. More importantly to appeal for your support and solidarity.

Sincerely,

The dancers of the Dutch National Ballet