Union files grievances against Tharp show

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO says it has filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Troika Entertainment.

AGMA is the union that represents professional ballet dancers in the United States.

Troika Entertainment is producing "Come Fly Away," the new Tywla Tharp musical scheduled to open on Broadway in March.

The show features Tharp choreography set to the music of Frank Sinatra. It stars John Selya, Keith Roberts, Karine Plantadit, Ashley Tuttle, Holley Farmer, and Charlie Hodges.

AGMA said it filed its grievances Thursday with Region 2 of the National Labor Relations Board.

"On or about Dec. 29, the employer informed AGMA that it had chosen to enter into an agreement with a different union -- Actors Equity -- for the production," the grievances alleged. "The employer failed to apply the collective bargaining agreement to the New York production and failed and refused to bargain in good faith regarding compensation. Further, the employer engaged in direct dealing with employees by telling them that they must sign individual contracts with the employer, on the employer's terms, despite the employer's obligation to bargain with AGMA."