On June 28, AGMA shared a social media update on what’s been happening at Central City Opera this summer, including that we have a number of pending grievances and have filed 5 Unfair Labor Practices. We’d like to expand on some of that now. CCO has illegally subcontracted dancers. Dancers are covered under our CBA – every dancer hired by CCO should be on an AGMA contract. These dancers are not. In bargaining, CCO tried - and failed - to get the right to subcontract bargaining unit work included in their management rights proposal. We defeated that in bargaining and limited their right to subcontract, permitting sub-contracting to only non-AGMA positions; like if they wanted to subcontract their accounting department. D... Read More -->

In June, AGMA announced the Union’s new president, officers, and governors, and now, following a Board election, the Standing Committees have been filled. Like many unions and organizations, the AGMA Board of Governors has delegated some of its functions to committees. AGMA’s committees do an incredible amount of work each month to help the Union function. Set forth in the Constitution, the six Standing Committees of the AGMA Board of Governors are: Executive Council Administration and Policy Work Rules and Contracts Membership and Member Relations Finance and Budget Personnel The committees are places for more focused and expert discussions on important issues before those issues are raised to the full Bo... Read More -->

The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host its first PUBLIC meeting Monday, July 10, at 9:00 p.m. ET. For those who might not know, the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus is made up of AGMA Directors, Choreographers, Stage Managers, and all their Associates and Assistants, so this event is open to both AGMA members and non-members who work in those Staging Staff roles across the dance and opera/concert industries. The evening will feature an “Ask Us Anything” panel made up of AGMA Directors, Choreographers, and Stage Managers. Participants will also be able to ask exploratory questions; for example, a theatre Stage Manager might want to ask a dance Stage Manager what their day-to-day is like. AGMA members: feel free... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Seattle Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 1-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: 3% increase to fees and compensation retroactive to 10/1/22 Negotiated rates for artist participation in promotional/fund-raising events are now fully covered by the Agreement Upfront payment of all per diem and minimum payments for all Principals upon arrival With no obligation to pay back if contract is canceled by SO or artist for any reason All promotional media activity is now considered an “Artist Service” to be ... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Musica Sacra was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Wage increases of 3% in Year 2 and 3% in Year 3 to performance fees and hourly rehearsal rates; Increased media fees in Years 2 ($80) and 3 ($85) Increased studio recording fees in Years 2 ($260) and 3 ($270) Increase subcontracting rates in Years 2 (3%) and 3 (3%) Increased radio broadcast fees ($160) in exchange for expanded radio broadcast rights Modernized CBA throughout document to include use of electronic contracts,... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Los Angeles Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 4-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS PRINCIPAL ARTISTS Advance payments for Principal Artists Addition of a compensated Principal Delegate  Fee breakdown provided PRODUCTION STAFF Improved working conditions Additional guaranteed prep time for Tier 2 productions  Reduction in hours before OT CHORISTERS Maintaining preferred hiring percentages for Choristers while also lowering some barriers for newer and traditionally underrepresented artists Annual increa... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Martha Graham Dance Company was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 4-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: New seniority-based wage scale including bumps at regular intervals, some up-front payments, in addition to annual wage/seniority increases totaling up to 20+% over term of agreement $1,500 signing bonus Payment for visa processing up to $3,500 per dancer $20/per day meal allowance during New York Season Increase in seniority payments, per diem, and other fees Addition of one more guaranteed week Streamin... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Wage increases over 3-year term: 3% - 4% - 3% Increases in seniority pay Increased delegate fee from $45 to $60 Increased short-term disability from 45% to 60% of weekly rate $100 social media takeover for each takeover New streaming provisions including normal waiver protections, including negotiated fees, 30 days advance notice, revenue sharing where appropriate, Artist and AGMA credit, l... Read More -->

The AGMA Black Caucus (ABC) will host their second National Meeting of 2023 on Tuesday, June 27, at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT). All Black AGMA Artists are encouraged to participate! This meeting will focus on looking back at the 22-23 season as it comes to a close and looking ahead toward the 23-24 season.  Interested in becoming more involved with the ABC? The facilitators will share the Caucus bylaws and information on facilitator elections during this meeting. Registration is required to receive the Zoom details. Register here. If you have already registered, you do not need to do so again! ... Read More -->

The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host its first PUBLIC meeting Monday, July 10, at 9:00 p.m. ET. For those who might not know, the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus is made up of AGMA Directors, Choreographers, Stage Managers, and all their Associates and Assistants, so this event is open to both AGMA members and non-members who work in those Staging Staff roles across the dance and opera/concert industries. The evening will feature an “Ask Us Anything” panel made up of AGMA Directors, Choreographers, and Stage Managers. Participants will also be able to ask exploratory questions; for example, a theatre Stage Manager might want to ask a dance Stage Manager what their day-to-day is like. AGMA members: feel free... Read More -->