At The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Board of Governors meeting on October 14, 2019, the Board ratified Arizona Opera’s most recent collective bargaining agreement. The new agreement provides for a raise of 10.3% over three years and increases benefits related to family care, which includes time to care for spouses, domestic partners, children, siblings and grandparents, in addition to other economic and non-economic improvements. “Our goal in this negotiation was focused on improving certain quality of life issues, since our members live and perform in two cities (Phoenix and Tucson). The improvements in scheduling and accommodations, as well as a raise, will make a real difference for us,” said John Kraft, a member of... Read More -->

On September 6, 2019, AGMA announced that the union had retained an independent investigator to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination made by AGMA members against Plácido Domingo.  In addition to interviewing our members, we hope to identify any systemic failures within the opera industry which may have allowed the alleged conduct to continue for decades. Today, AGMA learned that Mr. Domingo has resigned as General Director of the Los Angeles Opera.   AGMA's independent investigation will continue despite Mr. Domingo's resignation. "Our internal investigation has never been just about allegations against one individual," said AGMA National Director Len Egert. "AGMA is committed to confronting systemic proble... Read More -->

AGMA’s internal investigation regarding the allegations of harassment and discrimination against Plácido Domingo is underway and ongoing.  We anticipate that the investigation will take ​two to three months to conduct and we cannot comment on specifics. ​In the past few weeks, AGMA has reached out to our members across the country about issues of harassment and discrimination in the workplace.  AGMA has been in regular communication with artists and union leaders at affected locations, including Los Angeles Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.  We have encouraged our members to come to the union as a resource to redress and eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. For example, AGMA members at the Los Angeles Opera... Read More -->

The new contract will cover professional singers performing at concerts at Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles and will be effective immediately. Los Angeles, CA (September 18, 2019) – The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced today that the union has ratified a Collective Bargaining Agreement for the principal singers of Music at Westwood of the Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California.  The Church presents to the public four concerts a year of both secular and liturgical music (see https://www.westwoodpres.org/worship-music/music-at-westwood).   The new three-year agreement, the first of its kind for AGMA-covered artists, establishes market rates for concert work with significant raises over ... Read More -->

AGMA has retained J. Bruce Maffeo of Cozen O’Connor to conduct the Union's investigation into the multiple allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against Plácido Domingo. Today the American Guild of Musical Artists (“AGMA”) opened its own independent investigation into the multiple allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against Plácido Domingo. AGMA has retained J. Bruce Maffeo of Cozen O’Connor, a former federal prosecutor, to conduct the Union’s internal investigation. Mr. Maffeo has extensive experience conducting similar investigations on behalf of labor unions. This week the Associated Press published new disturbing allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Mr. Domingo. In the wak... Read More -->

Professional artists performing at Music of Westwood concert events at Westwood Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles have chosen AGMA as their exclusive bargaining representative Los Angeles, CA (July 23, 2019) – The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is proud to announce today that it will now represent the principal singers of Music at Westwood, of the Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.  Based on the unanimous vote of support of its singers, Music at Westwood, the musical non-profit choral concert group at Westwood Presbyterian Church, has voluntarily recognized AGMA as the exclusive bargaining representative of the artists for concert performances.  We applaud this decision by the organization, and acknowle... Read More -->

From June 24through June 27, 2019, AGMA’s Leadership convened its annual conference in New York City.  Approximately 17 AGMA Officers, Areas Chairs, Committee Chairs and representatives from around the country met to discuss and review various topics, goals and objectives.  Throughout the conference, AGMA staff presented updates regarding on-going projects and new initiatives.  The leadership group revised and refined a priorities list that had been generated during a previous conference. Among the topics analyzed were the following: Membership: an overview of policies and procedures Health and Retirement Funds: an update from Executive Director Derek Davis Public Relations: a presentation by Christine Dusek of 10K ... Read More -->

In appreciation of the return of American Ballet Theatre's collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera this spring, ABT is pleased to offer a special Industry Night Discount for all members of their affiliated unions. Members will need to present a current Membership card at the Box Office. We hope to see you at the ballet! Industry Night with American Ballet Theatre at the Met Opera House The Sleeping Beauty Friday, July 5 at 7:30pm$59 (plus fees) in Orchestra Prime, Balance, and Rear Side* Limit two tickets per person. Subject to availability. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office Window or over the Phone at (212) 362-6000. An active membership card required for purchase. ... Read More -->

On Friday, American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) held a mail ballot election pursuant to its Constitution.  Global Election Services (GES) certified the election results, which were accepted and approved May 20, 2019 by AGMA's Board of Governors. The following officers were elected:  President - Raymond Menard; Treasurer - J Austin Bitner; Recording Secretary – Louis Perry; First VP - John W. Coleman;  Second VP - Elizabeth Sciblo; Third VP – Teresa Reichlen; Fourth VP – Jane Shaulis; Fifth VP – Samuel Schultz. Nineteen Governors comprised of Soloists, Choristers/Actors, Dancers, and Production Personnel were also elected throughout the country in a record setting voter turnout. President Menard, Production ... Read More -->