AGMA and Chicago Opera Theater have a new Collective Bargaining Agreement! This one-year agreement was approved by AGMA members and ratified by AGMA’s Board of Governors on August 10, 2026. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations!
CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS:
Economics
- 4% increase across the board for all compensation and per diem
- New fee for stage crew work
- New limitations on and compensation for lifting
Scheduling
- Artists will receive a Production Overview Schedule when an engagement is offered
- Weekly schedules must identify the blocks of time when rehearsals will be scheduled
- COT cannot add additional rehearsal blocks except in emergency situations
- COT will make best efforts to schedule Artists for consecutive rehearsal blocks
- Daily Rehearsal Schedules will be posted earlier
- Fittings and coachings will be scheduled adjacent to other rehearsal calls whenever possible
Staging Staff Gains
- New limits on when Staging Staff can be called before 10:00 a.m.
- Limits are based on the individual production, rather than the season as a whole
- Three-session days limited to four per week
- No more than three consecutive three-session days