The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Washington National Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop.
Let’s celebrate some gains! There have been multiple additions and enhancements to the contract language that improve the working lives of all the Company’s Artists!
Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 3-year agreement!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
GENERAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
- Wages snap back to final year of previous CBA (prior to pandemic concessions) plus increases in wages and per diem of +3%, +3%, +2%
- 2-3 days paid bereavement leave
- Comprehensive new media provisions with new rates and increases over term
PRINCIPAL ARTISTS:
- Per diem fees broken out in IAA
- Full per diem on arrival if requested at time of contracting
- 10%+ increase in overtime compensation
- Tentative schedule of free days, room run, orchestra and on-stage rehearsals
PRODUCTION STAFF:
- Minimum overnight break increased from 10 to 11 hours; only two 10-hour breaks per production
- Overtime after 58 hours or 9 hours in any day
- Increased overtime rate by 15% with annual increases (no longer tied to Principal Artists)
CHORUS/CORPS DANCERS:
- Chorus 90% rehire
- Releases granted for other employment even if not full-time
- New excused absences for dancers
- Earlier dancer notice of engagement
- New language to address other dancer safety concerns
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, and SAFETY:
- Comprehensive new DEI language
- New Discrimination & Harassment language
- Reverse Weingarten rights (Right to union representation when raising concerns about discrimination and harassment)
- Gender-neutral pronouns throughout CBA
- New Safety and Health provisions
- New provision requiring engagement of Fight Director
- New provision requiring engagement of Intimacy Director
- New Joint-Labor Management Committee provision