AGMA stands in solidarity with hair and makeup artists at Atlanta Opera. Last year, the 100% Black hair and makeup crew voted to unionize with IATSE Local 798.
Their votes still haven't been counted. Instead of respecting the decisions of these workers, Atlanta Opera challenged their employment status, and the ballots remain "impounded" while the NLRB considers if these workers are “employees” or "independent contractors."
These Artists see the benefits of collective, organized power all around them at Atlanta Opera. The musicians (AFM), stagehands and costume/wardrobe workers (IATSE) all work under a union contract.
Workers who want to come together and organize a union should be able to, with dignity and without fear of retaliation. We applaud this hair and makeup crew for challenging misclassification and not backing down, even after Atlanta Opera chose to retaliate against them by degrading their pay and conditions.
These Artists need your support! Join us in telling management to respect their workers' rights! IATSE has set up this petition https://iatse.net/online-action/atlanta-opera-hmua-petition/.