The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Music at Westwood 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! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Increase in year one to health care contributions: 9% Increases of 1% in year one, 2% in year two, and 2% in year 3 on per performance rates One-time increase of 7% to the rehearsal rate in year three of the CBA I.D.E.A., AND SAFETY: Gender Neutral Language used throughout Commitment to diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive workplace and agreement to work with AGMA to implement policies and procedures tha... Read More -->
MyAGMA
AGMA Condemns KLM Airline and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol after Racist Incident Involving Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Dancers and Staffers
On the evening of Saturday, August 26, ten AGMA Artists who perform at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), along with four AAADT staffers, were subjected to racism and discriminatory treatment from employees of KLM Royal Dutch Airline (KLM) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The incident occurred during the early stages of AAADT’s ongoing international tour. The Company, predominately made up of Black Artists, was traveling from Edinburgh to Copenhagen and connecting through AMS. When their first flight was delayed, resulting in them missing their connecting flight, the Company was split into three flights, and the ten Artists and four company staff members were delayed until the next morning. When they attempted to... Read More -->
REMINDER: JOINT Caucus Presentation: Supporting One Another (in the Workplace)
REMINDER: This upcoming Monday, two AGMA caucuses are coming together for a special presentation! The Staging Staff Caucus and the Opera and Concert Choristers Caucus will host "Supporting One Another (in the Workplace)" on Monday, May 15, at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT. All AGMA staging staff members and AGMA choristers in good standing are encouraged to join! If you have already registered, please do not register again. Zoom details will be sent to you leading up to the event. Details: Moderated jointly by the caucus facilitators, the presentation will cover how AGMA members, specifically staging staff and choristers, can help each other in maintaining work rules and creating a safe, respectful, and supportive working env... Read More -->
The House Reintroduces the Bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act
AGMA is ecstatic over the reintroduction of the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA). Reintroduced by representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Judy Chu (D-CA), PATPA would update the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) deduction by raising the adjusted gross income cap from $16,000 to $100,000 for single taxpayers and $200,000 for joint filers. This would help to ensure middle-class entertainment professionals qualify to take the QPA deduction for certain unreimbursed, work-related expenses. Read DPE’s full press release on this news here. ... Read More -->
AGMA Announces Upcoming Information Webinar
AGMA will be hosting “An Intro to AGMA”, a live member orientation and informational webinar, on Thursday, October 27. Members are welcome to join the webinar at 10:00 a.m. ET or 9:00 p.m. ET on October 27. “An Intro to AGMA” will cover everything from the history of AGMA and its structure, to the basics of joining AGMA, to why workers form unions and how they create collective power. The webinar will be presented by Griff Braun, AGMA's National Organizing Director. This is open to all AGMA members in good standing, from brand-new members to members who haven't been able to attend an in-person orientation yet to longtime members that would just like a refresher or to learn more... Read More -->
Special Meeting of the San Francisco Area and Upcoming Area Election Announced
It's almost time to hold Area Committee elections! Before the self-nomination process kicks off, each AGMA Area will hold a meeting. The meeting dates will be shared throughout the next few weeks. These are special meetings, called to explain new changes to the structure and election of the Area Committee pursuant to recent amendments to AGMA's Constitution. During these meetings, members will go over the specifics of their Area Committee, the new composition of the Area Committee, and the upcoming Area Committee election. The San Francisco Area will meet on Wednesday, November 10, at 6:00 p.m. PT. SF Area members should have received an email from SF Area Chair Sally Mouzon containing Zoom details for the meet... Read More -->
AGMA Black Caucus Announces October 28 Meeting
The AGMA Black Caucus will meet on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All Black AGMA Artists in good standing are encouraged to join. We hope you will join us for a discussion about the structure of this caucus going forward, as we want it to be democratic and representative of all of our identities and voices as Black artists. We will also include reportbacks on anti-racist initiatives that our members are working on in their own companies, as well as information about upcoming meetings and opportunities to get further involved with this caucus. Please register in order to receive the Zoom details on the day of the meeting. Following this meeting, the plan of the ABC is to announce a meeting time on the third Wednesda... Read More -->
AGMA Operatic and Concert Choristers Caucus and Kickoff Meeting Announced
The latest caucus to establish itself within AGMA is the Operatic and Concert Choristers Caucus (OCCC). AGMA choristers in good standing are encouraged to join the first official kickoff meeting of the OCCC on Thursday, October 29, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PT. To register and receive the Zoom details, please email OCCC@musicalartists.org. “We’re looking for a representative and diverse group of Artists passionate about affecting choristers’ livelihoods in a positive way,” said Met Opera Chorister Ned Hanlon. “All over the country we confront the same issues and concerns. The time has come to see what we can do to fix them by working together.” The OCCC is dedicated to the promotion of a bette... Read More -->
[Video] AGMA Delegate Appreciation Day
Happy AGMA Delegate Appreciation Day! https://vimeo.com/457877879 AGMA has instituted this new day to show our gratitude to our AGMA Delegates, Committee Members, and other Artist Representatives who, year in and year out, do amazing work. This is especially true right now, during these stressful and uncertain days amid the pandemic. We know the extra hours, emotions, and Zoom meetings our Delegates have logged since March and we would not be able to do any of this important work without them. For those who might not know, throughout AGMA, the term "Delegate" is synonymous with "Steward." They are leaders, communicators, and a resource to their colleagues. An AGMA Delegate is selected by co-workers within a bargaining unit to... Read More -->
AGMA and SDC Release Return-to-Work Playbook
AUGUST 26, 2020 - American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) announce the wide release of the AGMA/SDC Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook. “From the onset of this life-changing pandemic, the economic security, health, and safety of our members have been top of mind. AGMA, SDC, and our medical experts are extremely proud of our Playbook, as it helps to address the unique risks of singing, dancing, stage managing, choreographing, and directing,” said Len Egert, National Executive Director of AGMA. “Our Playbook was initially intended as an internal tool for AGMA and SDC, but we are happy to make it widely available to the industry at large, because we are all in this toget... Read More -->