[Content warning: This message contains material about sexual harassment]
We write you today to provide an update on AGMA’s anti-sexual harassment efforts.
Prior to the pandemic, AGMA had begun a concerted effort with OPERA America facilitated by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in the battle against sexual harassment and discrimination in the Performing Arts.
While AGMA has not stopped working to combat sexual harassment in our workplaces, unfortunately, this initiative was temporarily paused in 2020 due to an Executive Order from the previous administration which prevented FMCS from working on anti-harassment initiatives.
We are happy to share with you that during the March 22 Board of Governors meeting, National Executive Director Len Egert reported that AGMA is re-launching this joint task force to create industry-wide guidelines to prevent sexual harassment. Next week we are meeting with FMCS facilitators to finalize the agenda for our first official meeting, which will include dozens of performing artists and administrators from across the opera and ballet worlds.
Additionally, AGMA is currently exploring new membership software that would enhance AGMA's ability to receive and track sexual harassment reports in a secure, confidential way, in line with our on-going efforts to modernize and improve AGMA's sexual harassment reporting process. AGMA negotiators continue to work with negotiating committees at our signatory companies to bargain for stronger sexual harassment prevention and reporting language in our collective bargaining agreements.
As a reminder, if you have been personally impacted by harassment or discrimination, you can alert AGMA by reporting claims to reporting@musicalartists.org. All reports are kept totally confidential. We are here to assist you.
This year has been the year of twists, turns, and pivots, and we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. The return-to-stage is very much on the horizon. As many of our members begin to contemplate returning to work, now is the time to recommit ourselves to creating workplaces free of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation. Standing together in union, AGMA Artists will face these deep-rooted issues in our workplaces and industries head-on.
AGMA’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy and Information Portal remains live and we encourage our members to re-familiarize themselves with the materials found on that page. All AGMA Artists deserve a workplace free from harassment and discrimination of any kind. If you are an AGMA member with questions or suggestions you want to bring to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Subcommittee, please contact Subcommittee co-chairs and Board members Julie Condy or Tim Smith at stopharassment@musicalartists.org or via the National Office at 1(800)-543-2462.