For many people in the Bay Area, the holidays just would not be the same without a performance of Nutcracker by the San Francisco Ballet.

But this season, the show may not go on. Management and performers are gridlocked on terms for a new contract, and next week’s opening night is in jeopardy.

Money is one issue. Management released the following statement:

“Our proposed salary increases for dancers and stage management continue to align with those offered by our peers, including American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, ensuring competitiveness and fairness within the industry.”

An AGMA negotiator responds by saying 81% of ballet artists are considered low income in San Francisco.

Now, both sides do agree that the ballet has some of the best dancers in the world, but the best way to care for them is in dispute. Management says it’s expanded the ballet’s wellness center, added a registered nutritionist and a performance psychologist among other things.

Not enough, says AGMA.

“We’ve seen injury levels really grow in the past couple of years. We’ve seen workers comp costs for San Francisco ballet really jump up, which is not great for the company or the artist,” said AGMA Senior Negotiator Tracy Jones.

Outside the War Memorial Opera House, Wednesday evening, we saw just how much this ballet means to people.

“Even now, I am tearing up, just thinking about it, though I have such sympathy for all the performers because they are the reason we come, well they and the musicians and everyone who helps put on this magical production,” said Kimberly McCormick of Sebastopol.

Negotiations have been going on for five months now and seem to have hit a wall. But I am told that there are a number of bargaining sessions scheduled between now and opening night on Dec. 6.

This could be a very loud and sleepless Thanksgiving holiday for those visiting or staying in the San Francisco’s Union Square.

The sound of banging drums and people shouting on loudspeakers has been constant in the neighborhood for the last two months as members of a local hotel workers union have been striking in front of local hotels.

“it has been 60, 67 days. It’s been a long time,” said Afong Lam.

Lam is a 12-year employee of the Westin St Francis at Union Square. Her union has been at a deadlock with the hotel ownership over three issues.

They oppose the owner’s offer of what the union claims are reduced healthcare benefits for new employees. They also oppose the hotel’s offer of a five year agreement, saying union members want a four year term.

Workers are also pushing for a higher wage that matches up with the cost-of-living increase in San Francisco over the last few years.

But union negotiators say they’ll forgo the wage hike if the hotel ownership would agree to a profit-sharing arrangement. That’s the idea behind their “Bet on SF” signs. But with negotiations at a standstill as the union is now expanding it’s strike.

This week, 500 employees of the Marriott Marquis hotel walked off the job.

The addition of the Marriott Marquis employees means that there are now about 2,500 hotel employee on the picket lines at hotels across downtown San Francisco.

Miguel Medina is among the Marriott Marquis workers who are joining the strike. He says other workers from outside San Francisco are also joining the picket lines.

“It means a lot to you know, having people from all over the country and other countries to support us,” he said.

NBC Bay Area reached out to Marriott International for comment But have not heard back.

A spokesman for the Hotel Council of San Francisco told NBC Bay Area that they are not part of the negotiations But hope an agreement is reached soon.

The San Francisco Giants are ready for some new blood to come in and start to guide a team that has now missed the postseason in seven of the last eight years.

One player that seems to be nearing major league status and potentially stepping into a critical role is the team’s top pitching prospect now in Triple-A, left-handed hurler Carson Whisenhunt.

San Francisco selected Whisenhunt in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of East Carolina. He had a big 2023 season over 16 starts in Single-A, High-A, and Double-A with a 2.45 ERA and 83 strikeouts in less than 60 innings pitched.

Whisenhunt was named by MLB.com in their article of each team’s best chance at pushing for a Rookie of the Year in 2025 as the prospect for the Giants who could make some serious noise and break onto the big league scene this season with a big performance.

“A 2022 second-round choice out of East Carolina, Whisenhunt owns one of the Minors’ best changeups and sets it up with a low-90s fastball, upper-70s curveball and mid-80s cutter,” the article stated. “He logged a 5.42 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 104 2/3 innings in Triple-A.”

While Whisenhunt’s numbers did take a dip once he got to Triple-A, a low ERA in the Pacific Coast League — known widely as a hitters’ league — is not common and there’s no cause for concern. Whisenhunt still maintained a high strikeout rate with 135 K’s in in 104.2 innings of work. The young lefty has elite stuff and is expected to be a very good pitcher at the next level.

Following San Francisco’s loss of Blake Snell to the rival Dodgers in free agency earlier this week, a spot opens up in the rotation that will have to be filled. San Francisco will likely explore free agent additions before looking at the minor leagues.

So, while Whisenhunt likely won’t be on the Opening Day roster, he certainly should be monitored as a strong possibility to make his debut sometime in 2025, especially if the Giants are struggling in the pitching department.

Keep an eye on the young Whisenhunt once spring training arrives to see if he can make a surprise push for a roster spot. Regardless of whether he’s able to or not, he will be among the players that fans are most excited to watch and track next season.