Scottish Opera is involved in the row

The dancers believe the changes at the national dance company could lead to falling box-office takings and job losses.

They have also claimed the changes could lead to the demise of Scottish Ballet, to the benefit of its sister company, Scottish Opera, which would then receive the grants.

In response to clauses in their contracts preventing them speaking to the press, they have set up a website to co-ordinate their campaign.

The website calls for the resignation of chief executive, Christopher Barron, and urges the Scottish Arts Council to review the links between the opera and the ballet.

Dance scene

Scottish Ballet claimed the shake-up was about turning it into "a major new force in contemporary dance".

It said "refocusing of the company is in line with significant developments currently taking place in the Scottish dance scene".

It pledged to create a large-scale contemporary company along with a smaller company to give opportunities to emerging choreographers and young dancers.

But it insisted that "both companies will have at their core the rigorous discipline and training in classical dance technique".

Last year, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera explored the possibility of merging, but decided against it.

Despite financial difficulties, the two companies opted to work separately within marketing, sponsorhip and technical departments.

Scottish Opera management was criticised in February for its "irresponsible and inadequate" handling of the crisis that took it to the brink of bankruptcy.