MyAGMA

AGMA Black Caucus Meeting on April 30

Published April 15, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The AGMA Black Caucus (ABC) will host its next National Meeting on Tuesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). All Black AGMA Artists are encouraged to participate! The meeting will center on looking ahead and include an open forum that focuses on navigating situations where uncertainty arises ("What to do when you don't know what to do"). Specifically, it will delve into strategies for addressing micro-aggressions, harassment, and inappropriate workplace behavior.  For anyone interested in becoming more involved with the ABC, the facilitators will share additional information on how to take on a bigger role in the Caucus during this meeting. Please register your intent to attend. After registeri... Read More -->

Send a Letter: Tell Congress to Support Increased Federal Arts Funding

Published   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

AGMA members' voices are critical in ensuring members of Congress support the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding at $211 million for FY25. It's easy to contact representatives and Senators and tell them to support this funding increase. AGMA has co-sponsored a letter-writing campaign set up by the Department for Professional Employees (DPE) through Action Network. The letter has been drafted, all senders need to do is insert a few details. Congress is already making decisions about next year’s funding for the NEA and NEH and needs to hear from union creative professionals about the need to increase federal arts funding. Send a Letter ... Read More -->

Miami City Ballet Management Held a Captive Audience Meeting

Published April 12, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Miami City Ballet Management Held a Captive Audience Meeting on April 9 …Even though they will tell you they didn't. And it may not be their last. Let’s talk about what a Captive Audience Meeting is…and why it is a significant form of union-busting. What is a Captive Audience Meeting? Ever heard of a "Captive Audience Meeting"? Let's break it down. It's a meeting where employees (in this case, the dancers of Miami City Ballet) are required to attend and listen to anti-union messages from their employer (Miami City Ballet). For example, the meeting on April 9 was a scheduled part of the MCB dancers’ day. Only after everyone was in attendance were they told that it was not mandatory, making it effectively a captive m... Read More -->

Miami City Ballet Management Launches Aggressive, Coordinated Union Busting Campaign

Published April 9, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Miami City Ballet management has begun an aggressive, coordinated union-busting campaign against their dancers, the majority of whom are fighting to unionize. Unsurprisingly, the Company’s union-busting campaign includes the usual condescending communications filled with misinformation, and soon, they will hold their first captive audience meeting (more on that VERY soon). Furthermore, MCB management is trying to circumvent the legal process by denying their dancers the right to a union election. Rather than allowing a straightforward National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election, affording the Dancers the opportunity to freely express their choice, management is trying to use the legal system to prevent their dancers from ha... Read More -->

AGMA Hires Ivy Yan as Counsel and Promotes Anna Peabody to Senior Negotiator

Published   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

AGMA is happy to share two updates regarding its Professional Staff. The Union has hired Ivy Yan as Counsel and has promoted Business Rep Anna Peabody to Senior Negotiator. Ivy Yan Joins AGMA Staff as Counsel Experienced labor lawyer Ivy Yan (she/her) joined the team as Counsel on April 8. Ivy comes to AGMA from McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry LLP, where her practice focused on union organizing, comprehensive campaigns, arbitration, and litigation to vindicate employees' rights at work. "We are thrilled to welcome Ivy to AGMA’s Professional Staff,” said Interim National Executive Director Allison Beck. “With her extensive background in labor and employment law, Ivy brings a wealth of knowledge and experie... Read More -->

AGMA’s Update Following the CDC’s New Respiratory Virus Guidance

Published April 8, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

AGMA is issuing an update to our recommendations following the CDC's release of updated guidance regarding respiratory viruses. COVID-19 continues to be a significant public health concern. It's crucial to understand that the CDC's update doesn't signify the eradication of COVID-19 or imply that it no longer poses risks, particularly to specific populations and industries. As always, AGMA's goal is the safety, health, and success of our artists and companies. We thank our members and companies for their patience and collaboration as we continue to maintain health and safety in our workplaces. ... Read More -->

Second Rise of DEI Webinar Recording Now Available

Published April 5, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

In 2022, AGMA partnered with Savanta to conduct the Union’s first demographic census. On Tuesday, March 26, AGMA’s Choristers, Actors, and Staff Performers Vice President, Helena Brown, along with AGMA’s Director of Communications, Alicia Cook, joined Brittany Grant, another recent client of Savanta, for a DEI Panel hosted by Savanta. “The Second Rise of DE&I” was free to attend and held virtually. Savanta has provided AGMA a recording of the webinar, which members can view on Savanta's website or by logging into MyAGMA and selecting "AGMA Webinars" from the MyAGMA dropdown menu. Savanta moderated the discussion as Helena, Alicia, and Brittany delved into the inherent issues stemming from systemic biases. The... Read More -->

Dancers of Miami City Ballet Take Steps to Unionize

Published April 3, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The Dancers of Miami City Ballet (MCB) have taken a significant step forward by signing cards to form a union with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Since its inception in 1985 by Toby Lerner Ansin and Edward Villella, Miami City Ballet has earned global acclaim for its exceptional rendition of George Balanchine's choreography. Griff Braun, AGMA’s National Organizing Director, expressed unwavering support for the Dancers, saying, “The Dancers of Miami City Ballet are determined and embracing the journey toward becoming part of the Union. Witnessing their peers nationwide join AGMA has fortified their conviction that the benefits of standing in solidarity and speaking with one voice far outweigh any challenges.... Read More -->

AGMA Ratifies 3-Year Agreement with Seattle Opera

Published April 2, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Seattle Opera was approved by AGMA leadership on March 25, 2024, 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: Increases retroactive to September 1, 2023:​ Year One: 3% to 16.5%​ Year Two: 3% to 4%​ Year Three: 4% to 7%​ NEW payment model for Performing Principal Artists allowing them to receive their compensation weekly rather than after each performance. Parking or reimbursement for mass transit for all Artists Travel time counts as hours worked Decrease in weekly span and increase in over... Read More -->

Reminder: “An Intro to AGMA” Webinar on April 4

Published April 1, 2024   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

AGMA will host two public sessions of “An Intro to AGMA,” the Union’s live new-member orientation and informational webinar. Those interested are welcome to join the webinar at 10:00 a.m. ET or 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 4. Register: 10:00 a.m. ET Register: 9:00 p.m. ET Both webinars will cover the same content, allowing participants to choose the best time for their schedule. The anticipated duration of the webinar is between 30 to 45 minutes. These webinars are open to the PUBLIC. We encourage you to share this link with individuals in your network who may find it interesting. Additionally, we extend a warm invitation to all AGMA members, whether they are new, have yet to attend an in-person ori... Read More -->