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Workers Memorial Day is April 28

Published April 28, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Every April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day to honor those who have been injured or lost their lives on the job, and to organize the fight for safe jobs. We stand united to strengthen workers’ rights and protections, and demand resources and actions needed for job safety enforcement. AGMA negotiates and enforces over 65 collective bargaining agreements throughout the country, ensuring fair and safe working conditions and enhancing the quality of life of its members. Without forceful advocacy and defense of their rights, artists may be vulnerable to exploitation or illegal discrimination. Performing Artists deserve protection. They find it by unionizing with AGMA. ... Read More -->

The House Reintroduces the Bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act

Published April 20, 2023   |  By Alicia Cook  |  Post in All Areas

AGMA is ecstatic over the reintroduction of the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA). Reintroduced by representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Judy Chu (D-CA), PATPA would update the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) deduction by raising the adjusted gross income cap from $16,000 to $100,000 for single taxpayers and $200,000 for joint filers. This would help to ensure middle-class entertainment professionals qualify to take the QPA deduction for certain unreimbursed, work-related expenses. Read DPE’s full press release on this news here. ... Read More -->

Video Message Regarding the Ongoing Labor Dispute with Central City Opera

Published April 18, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

https://vimeo.com/818590517/909e90b18c This is a Video Message regarding the ongoing labor dispute with Central City Opera from National Executive Director Sam Wheeler. Sam responds directly to CCO's latest statement while providing updates on bargaining, arbitrations, and the unfortunate possibility of a work stoppage. **This video was originally intended and formatted for social media. We combined Parts 1 and 2 for the purposes of this website posting.** Feel free to share this message, and be sure to check out and engage with AGMA's social media posts. ... Read More -->

Reminder: Tax Day is April 18

Published April 14, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Tax Day is April 18, 2023! Last year, the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus hosted a Tax Day Presentation. The webinar is still available on the members-only side of our website (MyAGMA login required, found under "AGMA Webinars"). While some of the information might be outdated, we feel it's still a useful resource this year too!  ... Read More -->

AGMA Explains the Importance of Pay-or-Play

Published April 11, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

We’ve been talking a lot about how Central City Opera is trying to effectively eliminate pay-or-play, the provisions of our collective bargaining agreements across the country that ensure that every contract entered into between an artist and CCO is guaranteed. Pay-or-play is the bedrock of our collective bargaining agreements; it exists in every single AGMA contract in the United States. A pay-or-play clause is an item in a contract that guarantees an employer will pay an artist, even if the employer decides not to use the artist. For AGMA Artists, this means that if you have a signed contract, but a signatory company chooses not to use you in the production, you will still be paid your fee. But what does pay-or-play protec... Read More -->

AGMA Leadership Condemns Anti-LGBTQIA+ Bills

Published April 10, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

AGMA condemns the ongoing and systematic attacks against the LGBTQIA+ community across the country. This is not only a personal issue for many, but a crucial one for AGMA and the broader labor movement. To date this year, lawmakers have introduced a staggering 452 bills that restrict fundamental needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly trans youth. Healthcare is a basic human right. Yet, in state after state, we are seeing legislation criminalizing transgender and non-binary individuals and the healthcare they require. At the same time, drag shows have become a cultural war issue, subject to legal attacks and physical hate crimes. While many drag performers are not trans and do not identify as LGBTQIA+, drag shows are now ... Read More -->

Candidate Statements Available on the Election Webpage

Published April 6, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Get to know some of the future Officers and Governors by visiting the 2023 AGMA National Election webpage and reading their official candidate statements! (See below for how to access the members-only page.) As a reminder, there are no contested races in this election. As a result, each of the listed Candidates will be deemed elected, effective June 1, 2023. (Members will not receive ballots this month as previously contemplated in the Nominations and Election Policy as there are no contested races.) Members: To access the 2023 AGMA National Election webpage, log in to MyAGMA and select “2023 AGMA National Election” from the MyAGMA dropdown menu. ... Read More -->

Update from AGMA Regarding Central City Opera

Published April 4, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Hey, it’s been a while. Here’s an update regarding Central City Opera. TLDR: It’s not great. Update on Negotiations AGMA has been tirelessly trying to reach a resolution at the bargaining table. On Monday, March 27, we met with CCO. We put a proposal across the table that we believe was a framework under which we could reach an agreement. Our proposal included an extremely significant concession, and CCO rejected our proposal outright. The Company is still insisting on a variety of issues that we – or any union – could never agree to. Chief among these is their desire to effectively eliminate pay-or-play, the provisions of our collective bargaining agreements across the country that ensure that every contract... Read More -->

AGMA Stands in Solidarity with Actors’ Equity

Published April 3, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Actors’ Equity has issued a strike threat against The Broadway League. Since January, they have been negotiating with The Broadway League, fighting for per diem rates that cover rising housing and food costs, sufficient coverage for stage managers and actors, and long-deserved wage increases. AGMA stands in solidarity with our sibling union and will update our members with ways they can support their colleagues and friends.  ... Read More -->