CHICAGO (10/8/2018) – Lyric Opera of Chicago and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced today that they have reached a multi-year labor agreement extending through the 2020/21 season.  The Agreement is subject to the ratification of AGMA members and approval of the AGMA Board of Governors. Details are not being released to the public at this time. About AGMA: The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is a labor organization that represents the people who create and engage in America’s operatic, choral and dance performances across the world. AGMA represents approximately 7,500 opera and classical singers, ballet and modern dancers, and production personnel at all principal opera houses, ballet com... Read More -->

We are excited to welcome two new additions to AGMA’s senior staff team - Allison Beck and Hope Singer (see full biographies below). Beginning October 1, 2018, Allison Beck will become Mid-Atlantic Counsel, representing AGMA members in the Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other southeast areas.  Hope Singer officially will become West Coast Counsel, representing AGMA members in the Southern California Area as well as part of our Northwest Area. “I am delighted to welcome these two highly credentialed labor attorneys who bring a wealth of experience to AGMA.  Both will ensure that our union continues to provide exceptional member services by forcefully advocating on behalf of artists in opera, dance and choral fie... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) condemns all sexual abuse and sexual harassment.  AGMA is fully committed to ensuring that the artists we represent have safe, supportive workplaces.  We recognize and appreciate the brave women and men who have come forward as part of the #MeToo movement and acknowledge that the arts community has too often turned a blind eye to sexual misconduct. Singers and dancers, and many other performing artists, work in close physical proximity to their co-workers, presenting an art that requires bodily contact and touching.  It is imperative that these workers have confidence that they can do their work free from sexual harassment and abuse.  As the union representing these artists, one of our pri... Read More -->

New York, New York - Friday, September 14, 2018 — The two major musical unions at the Metropolitan Opera, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802, AFM and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announce the approval of a new contract with the institution, pending final ratification on Monday by the AGMA Board of Governors. The unions represent several categories of workers at the Met, including the Regular and Associate Musicians of the MET Orchestra and Music Staff and Assistant Conductors, represented by Local 802, and the AGMA-represented Chorus, Soloists, Stage Managers, Stage Directors, Staff Performers, Dancers, and Choreographers. The joint statement is as follows: “We, the musicians and musical artists ... Read More -->

Attention Metropolitan Opera Artists: Information and voting instructions were sent out via email today for Artists covered under the AGMA collective bargaining agreements. If you are a Soloist, Dancer or Extra Chorister who has worked under the contract during last four years (or are contracted to work during the upcoming season) and did not receive voting instructions please check your “Spam” or “Junk” folders first.  If you have not located it there, please contact Candace Itow at Candace@musicalartists.org or call AGMA’s National Office at 212-265-3687. All other categories will receive separate notices explaining voting procedures. All votes must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. on Thursday September 6th. Than... Read More -->

Reminder: AGMA is committed to preventing sexual harassment of Artists working in opera, dance and choral concert fields.  Indeed, prior to the #MeToo movement, in May 2015, AGMA established policies to prevent harassment and set up a confidential reporting system (see https://www.musicalartists.org/agma-establishes-system-members-report-conduct-creates-hostile-work-environment/).  Since that time, AGMA has assisted its members in multiple claims of harassment.  Although we are constrained in providing details due to confidentiality, AGMA staff has assisted individual members and its working groups in multiple harassment investigations/incidents at companies throughout the country. Over the past few months, we have assisted individual... Read More -->

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York Local 802, the American Guild of Musical Artists, and the management of the Metropolitan Opera have reached a tentative agreement, subject to ratification by the bargaining units, Local 802 Executive Board and AGMA Board of Governors, on a three-year contract.... Read More -->

AGMA is committed to preventing sexual harassment of Artists working in opera, dance and choral concert fields.  Indeed, prior to the #MeToo movement, in May 2015, AGMA established policies to prevent harassment and set up a confidential reporting system (see our previous post for details).  Since that time, AGMA has assisted its members in multiple claims of harassment.  Although we are constrained in providing details due to confidentiality, AGMA staff has assisted individual members and its working groups in multiple harassment investigations/incidents at companies throughout the country. Over the past few months, we have assisted individuals in numerous claims and have actively represented our members in several major investigatio... Read More -->

A statement from AGMA President James Odom on the Supreme Court Ruling: The recent decision from the Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME delivers a crippling blow to members of public-sector unions. It allows workers to enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining, contract enforcement, and union representation without taking responsibility for the funding of those activities. The flawed reasoning of forced participation in political activities, with which individual workers might disagree, is not compelling when the CWA v. Beck decision clearly exempts workers from paying any portion of dues levied by the union that are not directly related to core representational activities, such as contract negotiation and enforcement. Without t... Read More -->

Minutes before expiration of their contract at midnight last Thursday, the Artists of Ailey reached a new four-year (plus one month) tentative agreement with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.  The 34 Artists (dancers and stage managers) are represented by AGMA. The new agreement provides for substantial increases in wages, benefits and other terms.  The tentative deal is subject to ratification by AGMA’s Board of Governors. During the negotiations, the Artists of Ailey sought parity with other similarly-budgeted dance companies and industry standards.  The tentative agreement substantially increases pay scales for a majority of dancers in the first year along with other improvements in various areas of the contract. “This... Read More -->