The Dancers and Stage Managers of Alvin Ailey have sent a letter to the Alvin Ailey Board and have launched a letter-writing campaign to support their demand for a fair and equitable contract. Send a Letter With the current collective bargaining agreement between the American Guild of Musical Artists and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater set to expire on July 1, 2022, the AGMA Ailey Negotiating Committee – made up of the Artists of Ailey – has been at the bargaining table for several weeks, fighting for a fair and equitable contract. The Artists have made multiple detailed presentations to management in support of their request for a fair contract; in response, management has told the Artists that their asks are too costly... Read More -->

Today the Supreme Court has overturned Roe vs. Wade and Casey vs. Planned Parenthood, ending constitutional protections for abortion in a 6-3 decision. This ruling, a departure from 50 years of established law, makes abortion immediately inaccessible and often illegal to obtain in large portions of the country. Starting today, any person with a uterus now risks having to carry a pregnancy to term against their will and regardless of the risk, possibly at the cost of their own lives. When we learned of this eventuality through the leak of a draft opinion in May, I said: "Unions have always known that comprehensive healthcare is a fundamental right, and this decision will make it harder for pregnant people to make their own choices and... Read More -->

Today—at a time when the heartbreaking and irrevocable consequences of gun violence have never been more apparent—the Supreme Court issued a radical decision invalidating common-sense gun laws that protect millions of Americans. This decision makes artists—public figures who work in high-profile spaces—and our audiences less safe. I am disheartened and appalled. The safety of AGMA members will always be the Union's number one priority and today's ruling has put us all at greater risk. Ray Menard, AGMA President  ... Read More -->

The new one-year agreement between AGMA and Cincinnati Ballet was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. Highlights include: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Wage increases: 12% (Apprentices), 10% (New Dancers), 5% (First Year Corps), 4% (Corps + Soloists), 3% Principals3 additional paid sick days Increased extended sick pay leave ($400/week)3 job-protected weeks of extended sick pay leave for non-birthing parents.Paid half-hour call for dress rehearsalsEmployer will seek permission to provide digital copies of performances to dancers HEALTH AND SAFETY Use of intimacy coach for all intimate scenesProtections against surveillance regarding recording devices in studios DIVERSITY, EQU... Read More -->

The new one-year agreement between AGMA and Opera Philadelphia was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. This is a Memorandum of Agreement and negotiations begin in 2023. Highlights include: 3% increase in compensation, per diems, and overtimeCommitment to begin 2023 negotiations at the MOA ratesCommitment to continue monthly Joint Labor-Management Committee meetingsContractual recognition of OP’s racial equity work, commitment to include AGMA Artists in ongoing work of EIC (Equity and Inclusion Committee); agreement that monthly JLMC meetings will address equity issues, such as recruitment, selection, retention, mentorship, training, advancement, and accessibility Thank you to the neg... Read More -->

REMINDER! The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will welcome back guest speakers Narda E. Alcorn and Lisa Porter on June 27. Check out their bios here. Narda and Lisa will present "Staging Staff's Role in Building an Equitable and Inclusive Production Culture” and will discuss adaptable practices and resources. There will be time for a Q&A! If you are an AGMA Staging Staff member in good standing and have not registered yet, please do so here. If you have already registered, you do not need to again - the Zoom details will be sent leading up to June 27. ... Read More -->

We are happy to report that the collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Sarasota Ballet was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. Highlights include: Progress toward eliminating inequitable pay structures; first-year wage increases between 12% - 10%, and 5% in the second year for 6 ranks below First SoloistElimination of dancer contribution to monthly health insurance premium – about $100 in savingsNew safety and health language giving AGMA the ability to enforce COVID safety and to address DEI issues as matters of health & safetyNew DEI provision committing Company to work with Artists at regular Joint Committee meetings to implement policies, practices, training, and compla... Read More -->

Important meeting reminder! The OCCC meeting on June 27 will focus on Chorister Bargaining Priorities. Whether you are an artist that sings in an opera chorus, a concert choir, or a symphony chorus, it’s vital your voice be heard. Today around 1:00 p.m. ET, the OCCC emailed all AGMA Choristers in good standing a bargaining priorities survey to complete ahead of the meeting. This short survey will help the OCCC better understand how AGMA choristers around the country feel on a variety of issues. The results of this survey will be discussed at the June 27 meeting and will inform the OCCC's recommendation to the Board of Governors regarding nationwide chorister bargaining priorities. If you are an AGMA Chorister in good standing a... Read More -->

Juneteenth is the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The tragic reality was it took more than two years from when President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation for the last enslaved people to be freed - in Galveston, Texas - on June 19, 1865.  We must use AGMA’s power and resources to combat inequality and oppression in our industries and our society. Racism and discrimination are safety issues; they make our workplaces dangerous and tear at the fabric of solidarity that binds us together. Juneteenth is a day for reflection. At AGMA, we give thanks for the leadership, energy, and vision of our Black members, who have led the way as our union has worked to confront systemic racism in our industr... Read More -->

A year after receiving an AFL-CIO direct charter, President Ray Menard and AGMA Governor Evelyn Santiago attended the 29th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia as union delegates. This marks the first time since 2005 that AGMA had a delegate presence at the conference, which is held every four years. The AFL-CIO is a federation of 57 unions and 12.5 million members. At the Convention, Liz Shuler was elected AFL-CIO President alongside Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, both making history as the first woman and the first African American to hold office in their respective roles. President Joe Biden spoke at the Convention as well. The Convention ran from June 12 until June 15. According to the AFL-CIO website, “ele... Read More -->