The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and BalletMet was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. There have been multiple additions and enhancements to the contract language, including improvements under compensation and benefits and new anti-harassment and anti-discrimination language. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Annual wage increases: 4%, 3%, 3%Expanded seniority paymentsIncreased parking stipendIncrease in per diemPaid bereavement leave and paid family leave for non-birthing parents DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION and SAFETY: BalletMet will engage an intimacy di... Read More -->

Happy Labor Day weekend! Earlier this summer, it was widely reported that U.S. workers are unionizing their workplaces at the highest rate in almost a decade, a rise that reflects warming public attitudes toward unions. This weekend, we celebrate both the bright future of the labor movement and the storied history that got us here. At AGMA, we are continuing negotiations at a fast and furious pace. Every staff negotiator is bargaining with several companies simultaneously. Our members have won significant gains in our Collective Bargaining Agreements, and we’ve highlighted many of those wins on our social media channels. We are growing, and we are getting stronger. A great labor hymn that comes to mind this weekend is, “Whi... Read More -->

The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host a New Season Check In on Tuesday, September 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. All AGMA Staging Staff members in good standing are encouraged to join, as it will be a lively discussion that touches on several topics including work/life balance.  See you on Tuesday, September 13. If you have any questions, or ideas for future discussions, please don't hesitate to email stagingstaffcaucus@musicalartists.org. ... Read More -->

AGMA's August 2022 Newsletter was emailed to members in good standing on August 25. Members should check their spam/promotions/other folders if the newsletter didn't appear in their inbox. This month's newsletter includes AGMAzine, a link to register for the Labor Day Parade in NYC, contract highlights from recent ratifications, ways to support Starbucks Workers United, audition and job opportunities, updates from AGMA caucuses, and a recap of the August Board Governors Meeting. As a reminder, members can review ALL of AGMA’s past monthly newsletters by visiting the Newsletter Archive on the website (MyAGMA login required). ... Read More -->

AGMA President Ray Menard sent a letter to Senator Schumer on August 29, 2022. The letter expresses AGMA’s strong support for funding the National Labor Relations Board. AGMA’s recent experiences with NLRB delays underscore why properly resourcing the Board is urgently needed, and it is all outlined in the letter. AGMA relies on the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”, or, “the Board”) to administer elections for new bargaining units and to rectify violations of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA” or the “Act”), both by AGMA signatory companies and by non-union employers operating in the performing arts. The National Labor Relations Act protects the rights of workers to engage in collective action at ... Read More -->

The 2022 NYC Labor Day Parade is Saturday, September 10! The parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m. ET at Fifth Avenue & 44th Street. Any AGMA members in the area who plan to walk with AGMA leadership, staff, and fellow members in the parade should fill out this form by September 8. This way, AGMA can plan for your arrival and make sure we have enough AGMA buttons to go around. AGMA's meeting location is East 44th Street between Madison Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue. Arrive around 9:15 a.m. ET for coffee and to get organized! Members who have AGMA swag are encouraged to wear it to the parade! ... Read More -->

AGMA is happy to announce that the Summer 2022 issue of AGMAzine is here! Follow this link to view/download the PDF or flip through the pages on Issuu. In this issue, you will hear from AGMA leadership, read important updates from AGMA, and get to know members through personal essays and interviews. We are still navigating through the pandemic, still fighting for equity. During this time, AGMA members have displayed great strength and solidarity. The theme of this summer’s AGMAzine is “AGMA on the Rise” which encompasses the growth and change AGMA and our members have experienced over the last two-plus years. We hope you enjoy reading AGMAzine, the official publication of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Special... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and The Washington Ballet was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. There have been multiple additions and enhancements to the contract language, including improvements under compensation and benefits and new anti-harassment and anti-discrimination language. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Compensation increases of 4%-20% in first year, 3% in second and third yearsApprentice ranks eliminated and replaced with Dancer Rates A1 and A2 with significant raisesAutomatic promotion to A2 rate for dancers who completed 3+ years in Studio CompanyCash bonus for all... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Houston Grand Opera was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. Let’s celebrate some gains! There have been multiple additions and enhancements to the contract language, including improvements under compensation and benefits, and DEI. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Varied increases (2.5-3%) in Year 12% in Year 22% with additional increases to Health Retirement contributions in Year 3Upfront payment for Principal Artists in a new roleSeveral new provisions for Directors/ADs including overnight rest span, meal breaks, re-engagement, and free daysCho... Read More -->

A 1-year extension between AGMA and Milwaukee Ballet was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 1-year extension! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS All Dancer salaries will be increased by 2% for the 22-23 seasonThe Dancer classifications in the Basic Agreement will be increased by 2%Extended sick pay will remain in place for COVID-19-related illness, quarantine, or caring for another family memberUninterrupted dressing and makeup timeWeather-related rehearsal cancellations; rehearsals will be canceled or delayed when the Admin Offices are closedThe taking and use of professional photos and videos of Artists by Milwaukee Ballet requires... Read More -->