SEE YOU NEXT YEAR We hope the final few days of 2022 are kind to you and that you find some time to rest and recharge. It's overwhelming to contemplate all we've been able to accomplish this past year at AGMA. In 2022, AGMA members, supported by negotiating staff, bargained more than forty collective bargaining agreements at signatories across the country, standing together in solidarity to improve the working lives of artists and to change our industries for the better. We organized new bargaining units nationwide; the stage managers at Des Moines Metro Opera and the dancers at Saint Louis Ballet won their unions in 2022, and the dancers at Texas Ballet Theater and Ballet Memphis and the choir at the Philadelphia Orchestra wi... Read More -->

With their permission, we are sharing an email written by three Central City Opera directors that was sent directly to CCO President & CEO Pamela A. Pantos on December 10. These directors are contracted for the three 2023 productions and have written Ms. Pantos alerting her that they cannot move forward until the issues with AGMA are resolved. AGMA did not request that the directors take this action, but we support and applaud them. Thank you for this strong display of solidarity! Text: Dear Pamela, I have been wrestling with myself about our potential meeting on Monday. I find that I cannot currently, in good conscience, move forward with plans for the summer of 2023 at CCO until the issues raised by AGMA have been resol... Read More -->

AGMA members should submit their 2023 basic annual dues. Invoices were sent on or around November 18. To remain an AGMA member in good standing, and avoid future reinstatement fees, please submit your dues! This upcoming year is also an ELECTION YEAR for AGMA! In May 2023, AGMA members will elect National Officers and Governors to represent them on AGMA’s Board of Governors. In order to participate at all levels of the Union, members must retain good standing status (up to date on all payments/installment plans). This means in order to vote, nominate, or run as a candidate in union elections, engage in negotiations, vote on contracts, attend caucus or committee meetings, receive many email updates, and access MyAGMA, members must rema... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and New Orleans Opera 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! ALL ARTISTS Compensation and Benefits Increases of up to ~44% for certain wage rates over 3-year term of agreement Per diem on arrival for eligible Artists Extended breaks for nursing parents Rehearsal passes and discounted tickets Baggage allowances Updated dues deduction and Individual Artist Agreement, work rules, discipline, grievance and arbitration language Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Discrimination and Harassment; Health and Safety Comprehensive... Read More -->

Central City Opera’s latest statement is nothing more than a transparent attempt to distract from their own misconduct. The accusations bulleted in their statement are completely without merit. Meanwhile, we are still waiting for a direct response to the issues raised in our letter to CCO’s Board. CCO published their statement minutes after canceling a bargaining session with the Union, which was scheduled for today, December 15. CCO’s reason for canceling was that they were too busy working on their non-union show that opened this past weekend. We’ve already filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) earlier this week about this non-union production (though we didn’t feel the need to publish that we took this action publicly). ... Read More -->

AGMA has created custom “solidarity frames” to garner support around the singers of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir! We are sharing this simple and powerful tool today and encourage AGMA artists and friends to download and use the frame over the course of the next few days. Whether in your social media feeds or on your stories, let’s stand in solidarity with these artists, and tell the Philadelphia Orchestra Association to respect their singers and recognize their union! To get started, click the link for the template you’d like to use, then insert your own photo into the frame! SQUARE GRAPHICS (for INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK FEED) HORIZONTAL GRAPHICS (for TWITTER/FACEBOOK FEED) STORY GRAPHICS (for INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK... Read More -->

On December 5, AGMA announced that the singers of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir have taken steps to unionize with AGMA. The Philadelphia Orchestra Association was given until December 12 to respect their artists’ wishes and voluntarily recognize their union. That deadline has passed. In response, the artists, with the support of AGMA, have launched an Action Network letter-writing campaign. Supporters can access the pre-drafted letter via this link. Please take two minutes and support the singers of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir! Supporters can send it as is or personalize it any way they’d like. However, supporters MUST enter their own personalized subject line, to avoid it being sent to spam. The letter will automa... Read More -->

On the first anniversary of the union election in Buffalo, New York, that started this campaign, Starbucks Workers United is inviting labor and community allies to stand with baristas. AGMA proudly stands in solidarity with Starbucks Workers United! Today, labor and community groups will join Starbucks workers in 10 cities to tell Howard Schultz and the board of directors of Starbucks to stop bullying baristas and bargain for a fair contract. We back the baristas in their fight for better staffing, pay and harassment protections. Like Central City Opera, Starbucks has retained notorious union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson P.C. 10 Core Rally Cities for December 9: Arlington, Virginia⁠—Bozman Government Center, 5 p.m.At... Read More -->

AGMA and sibling unions affiliated with the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) urge Congress: Let artists deduct necessary work expenses from their taxes. We advocate for the passing of the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA), S. 2872/H.R. 4750.  Read the full press release here: https://www.dpeaflcio.org/press-releases/patpa-letter-dec-2022. ... Read More -->

The AGMA Relief Fund has announced countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as Chair of this year’s AGMA Relief Fund Holiday Drive. You can read his personal message to friends, colleagues, and supporters of the Arts below or by visiting the AGMA Relief Fund website. Thank you, Anthony, for being a steadfast advocate of the AGMA Relief Fund. ... Read More -->