The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Florida Grand Opera was approved by AGMA leadership on October 21, 2024, after being ratified by the shop.
Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 4-year agreement!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS:
COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS:
- Compensation:
- Assistant Stage Managers: +18% increase within the first year, then +4%, 3%, 4% in subsequent years
- Choristers: +2%, +3%, +4%, +4% over 4 years
- All other rates: +0%, +4%, +3%, +4% over 4 years
- Per Diem:
- Year 2: Increase to average monthly GSA rate up to $155
- Year 3: Increase to average monthly GSA rate up to $170 in Year 2
- Year 4: Increase to average monthly GSA rate without limit
- Meal Allowance: GSA rate after Year 1 in subsequent years
- Other Benefits:
- Expansion of Bereavement Leave to all Artists
- New section regarding Holidays
PRINCIPAL ARTISTS
- Advance payment to Principal Artists upon request: up to 30% upon arrival, up to 30% upon conclusion of studio rehearsals, remaining fees over the performances
- Each Principal Artist cast to receive a run-through onstage with all musical and production elements
STAGING STAFF
- Addition of Production Stage Managers to the bargaining unit!
- Onboarding/orientation for PSMs/ASMs on first day of work
- Weekly hours before overtime for PSMs/ASMs reduced to 51 hours for most weeks, 58 hours for Tech Weeks
- No three-session days unless the company confers with AGMA staff and Artists
- Overnight break increased from 10 hours to 11 hours
- Number of consecutive workdays without additional pay decreased to 9 days
- Meal Period violation not permitted ($10 penalty eliminated)
CHORISTERS
- Years of service required to become an Associate Chorister lowered to 4 years
- Opportunities for additional feedback at the Chorister’s request
- Opportunities for Choristers to reaudition to be reinstated as Regular Choristers
- Chorus minimum call increased from 2 hours to 3 hours, except Brush Up Rehearsals (which remains at 2 hours)
STUDIO ARTISTS
- Studio Artists (FGO’s Young Artist Program) to receive Cover compensation for the full production period if they’re studying a role and go on to perform
- Studio Artists not required to provide services separate from or unrelated to the AGMA production when under AGMA contract
- Starting in 2025-2026, Studio Artists to receive the AGMA weekly fee (if higher than Student Artist stipend) instead of the Studio Artist stipend without the crediting/amortizing over the full season
- Limitation on Studio Artist weekly hours (when not on AGMA contract) at 40 hours a week
- No new music assignment to Studio Artists while working under AGMA contract unless the new music won’t be performed for 30 days from distribution
- Studio Artists will not be requested to volunteer as supernumeraries
- $75 transportation stipend for each 30-day period of engagement starting in 2025-2026 Season
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND SAFETY
- Expanded Discrimination & Harassment and DEI/IDEA language
- Artists to be notified of productions with known portrayal of intimacy or sexual violence
- Extended breaks for nursing parents
- Artists to be notified when they will be required to use their own hair, and hair styling requests, in a production
- Intimacy Directors will be engaged beginning in 2025-2026 season
- New section regarding Vocal Health
- Advance notice regarding parking, and “best efforts” language to maintain it at a short, walkable distance