Register On Friday, August 9, the leadership of Dallas Black Dance Theatre fired their entire company of dancers, just weeks after they unanimously voted to unionize. The Company simultaneously posted an audition notice to replace them, scheduled for Saturday, August 17. Let's come together in person on August 17 with the terminated dancers and demand that DBDT cancel the auditions, reinstate their artists, and inform the public about this injustice! When: Saturday, August 17, 12:00 p.m. CT (registration is encouraged!) Where: Meeting at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, 2501 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201. (Enter at the student entrance on the north side of the building, off the faculty park... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has officially issued a Do Not Work Order for Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT). This decisive action was unanimously approved by the AGMA Board of Governors on Monday, August 12. It follows a disturbing pattern of escalating actions by DBDT leadership against their dancers since they unanimously voted to unionize with AGMA in May. The situation reached a critical point on Friday, August 9, when the company took the extreme step of terminating all its dancers. "As we’ve alleged in charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board, this is clearly retaliation for unionizing," stated AGMA President Ned Hanlon. "A Do Not Work Order is not something AGMA issues lightly. It is reserved f... Read More -->

Get Started Sent on Behalf of the Dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theatre At the end of the day on Friday, Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) leadership terminated all of us, the entire company of dancers, and posted an audition notice to replace us. Just over 2 months ago, we unanimously voted to form our union with AGMA to have a voice in our working lives and to make DBDT a better place for artists. To find ourselves suddenly unemployed less than 2 weeks before our season was to begin is devastating to us as artists, workers, and human beings. We think it’s time to contact the audition email address and let DBDT leadership know how we feel. Will you help us? Through Action Network, AGMA has prepared a pre-drafted le... Read More -->

AGMA is aware that Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) leadership just terminated all their dancers, and we are appalled. This abrupt and shocking development is the latest in a series of actions the Company has taken since the dancers voted unanimously to unionize. Moreover, DBDT swiftly disabling comments on their notably vague social media statement speaks volumes. The entire AGMA membership has these dancers’ backs and we will do everything in our power to protect their rights as artists and workers. We will have more to say, but let this be the start.... Read More -->

It’s Labor Day Parade Season! There are plenty of ways that AGMA members can join in the Labor Day celebrations across the country. Since AGMA’s National Office is located in New York City, we will be marching (walking, strutting…) in that parade on September 7. Anyone in the area is invited to join us and our sibling unions that day. Please register here. If you can’t make that one, we still hope you attend or participate in a parade near you. The AFL-CIO has set up a nationwide Labor Day event database, but there are many non-AFL-CIO Labor Day events happening around the country, too. To find a Labor Day Parade or celebration near you, we suggest Googling "Labor Day Parades near me" or something similar. Here are some para... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and ​Opera Theatre of Saint Louis​ (OTSL) was approved by AGMA leadership on July 22, 2024, after being ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 5-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS: COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Five-year agreement with annual increases of 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, and 4%​ 1% increase in Retirement Fund contributions in year 1​ Reinstatement of the overtime increment at equivalent rates for overlapping weeks for ASM and the Resident AD​ Clarification that the 51-hour trigger for overtime includes scheduled rehearsal time plus 30 minutes of set up time and 30 minutes of report time per day Actual mileage an... Read More -->

On August 3 and 4, members of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus leafleted the patrons before performances of La La Land in Concert. This wouldn't have been possible without support from community allies and the union members of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, AFM Local 6. The Choristers spoke with patrons about the proposed 80% budget cuts to the Chorus and urged them to reach out to management. The singers emphasized the crucial need for working musicians to earn a living in San Francisco to ensure the Bay Area stays a vibrant hub for artists. AGMA Counsel Ivy Yan, non-AGMA Choristers Julia Hall and Julia Vetter, and AGMA Governor/San Francisco Area Committee Chair Sally Mouzon smile in front of Davies Symphony Hall after a suc... Read More -->

Get Started Sent on Behalf of the Dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theatre We, the dedicated dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT), unanimously voted on May 29 to form a union with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Since then, DBDT’s leadership has made several unusual and aggressive decisions, including terminating a veteran, beloved dancer and stripping away our second income stream by not letting us teach at the DBDT Academy. These actions appear to be retaliatory, punishing us for seeking a real voice in our working lives. We detailed our experiences in a public statement on July 24, and you can read it here. In addition to being offensive, hurtful, and damaging to the Company, we believe leadership’... Read More -->