AGMA calls upon the federal government and city and state governments in which our members work to pass immediate, substantial economic relief for our signatory companies and all non-profit arts organizations likely to be shuttered in response to COVID-19. The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is monitoring the ever-growing list of entertainment events and productions that have been limited, canceled, suspended, or postponed indefinitely due to this pandemic. AGMA understands that this is necessary, that public health should ALWAYS be placed in front of businesses’ bottom lines. However, AGMA’s main priority is, and will remain, protecting the health and employment of our 7,000 members. Our artists rely on... Read More -->

CHICAGO—The members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus (CSC), represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) have reached an agreement on a new five-year contract. The musicians of the CSC, members of the national AGMA Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of the CSOA have voted to ratify the agreement, which is effective from September 2019 through September 2024. The five-year agreement includes improvements in working conditions for both parties and wage increases of 13.7% over the five years of the contract. Negotiations between the CSOA and the CSC, represented by AGMA, took place from September through November 2019 with the parties reaching a tentative agreeme... Read More -->

Last week the stage managers of Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) in Seattle, Washington voted unanimously to join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).   The election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  AGMA already represents the dancers at PNB and the production staff will constitute a separate bargaining unit. "We the Stage Managers of PNB are thrilled and proud to be officially represented by AGMA.  We thank Nora Heiber (AGMA Western Executive), Leonard Egert (AGMA National Executive Director), and Andrew H. Baker (Outside Counsel) for all of their hard work to help make this happen," stated the stage managers of Pacific Northwest Ballet.   “I welcome the production staff of PNB into... Read More -->

Last night, the dancers of Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) voted by an overwhelming majority to form a union with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).  The secret ballot vote took place at the NBT studios and was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  On October 28th, AGMA requested that NBT voluntarily recognize the union as the exclusive bargaining representative for the dancers, upon verification of majority support.   NBT management refused to recognize the dancers’ union, however, and instead initiated an anti-union campaign, prompting AGMA to request the NLRB election. “For the past three weeks the dancers of NBT have been subjected to an aggressive anti-union campaign waged agains... Read More -->

With an overwhelming majority of support, the dancers of Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) have signed cards to form a union and join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).   In a letter to the management of NBT, the dancers stated “This is a decision made in the interest of longevity and artistic achievement for the company, mutually beneficial working relationships, and long-term health.  As dancers, the lifeblood of this organization, we hold ourselves and the company to a high standard and believe our decision will elevate the company to a nationally recognized institution.” “Nevada Ballet Theatre is a fantastic company of high-level dancers who have devoted their lives to this important art form,” said Len E... Read More -->