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 Discrimination/Harassment and DEI language
- Reverse Weingarten rights (right to union representation when raising concerns about discrimination and harassment)
- Fight and Intimacy Directors will be used
- Broad new health and safety clause (COVID and mental health)
PRINCIPAL ARTISTS
- Advance payments of up to 25% on arrival; 25% after the final staging rehearsal; 50% divided among the number of performances subject only to request 30 days before 1st rehearsal
- Increases of ~13% for supporting roles/solo dancers and ~36% for solo bit roles effective 1/1/23; ~20% and ~44% over term of CBA
- Up to 5 mins clips as permitted
STAGING STAFF
- Reduction from 60 to 54 hours before overtime for ADs, SMs, and ASMs
- Overnight break increased from 10-11 hours
- ~7% wage increase effective 7/1/23, ~11% over term of CBA, for most staging staff
- Memorialized prep week guarantee
- Clarified housing, per diem, auto subsidies
CHORISTERS AND CORPS DANCERS
- Additional services fees for acting as supers, heavy props, body makeup, or fight choreography
- Auditions every two years open to all artists, including those who wish to reaudition
- Letter of availability by end of season for following season
- Final rehearsal schedule 30 days prior to first rehearsal
- Lump sum increases in rehearsal rates each year: ~39% over term of CBA
- Lump sum increases in performances fees each year: ~22-32% over term of CBA