Ten weeks ago, we sent our first Met update. Wow. It has been a long road, but the Met AGMA Negotiating Committee’s work continues and we are happy to provide you the following update.
What Happened Last Week
- Substantial progress on proposals to expand Artist representation and protections beyond the Opera House to outside venues and digital captures
- Discussion of basic standards for outside rehearsal spaces and travel to get to them
What’s Happening This Week
- Continued work on comprehensive anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion contractual language
- Discussion on creating an efficient, effective, and unified break structure for all Artists
- Follow up on proposals for all Met AGMA work groups
Our purpose as Artists is not just to bring joy to our audiences, but to do our part to protect our colleagues across the entire country. We are our own best advocates, and this past year has proven that. As Met Stage Director Marcus Shields has so poignantly said, “Our Artists enliven, enrich, and nourish the opera house. We cherish our membership in the Met Family. We continue our fight for the dignity we deserve from the company we sustain.”
We are doing our best to rebuild this industry from the inside out, one day at a time through the use of our collective voice during these negotiations. We are the architects for a better Met, and a more equal, just, and safe opera industry. It is our duty and honor to ensure all Artists return to not just a reopened industry, but an improved one. We thank each and every one of our friends and supporters for your words of encouragement. You continue to reassure us that this emotional, uphill journey is worth the trek.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ned Hanlon, Negotiating Committee Chair, at ehanlo@gmail.com, Eastern Counsel Sam Wheeler, swheeler@musicalartists.org, or any of your delegates and committee members.
Stay Connected!
Our Negotiating Committee Communications Team will continue to send out weekly updates on bargaining to Met Artists via email (we encourage you to forward these emails to friends!) and through social media. To avoid email fatigue, all other AGMA membership will receive less-frequent updates than that but are encouraged to follow our Met AGMA groups on social media: @MetOperaChorus @MetOperaSupers @MetOperaBallet. These accounts are run by AGMA Artists!
In solidarity,
Your Met AGMA Negotiating Committee:
Ned Hanlon, Committee Chair; Ross Benoliel, Chorister; Richard Bernstein, Soloist; Shay Bland, Dancer; Helena Brown, Extra Chorister; Antuan Byers, Dancer; Stephanie Chigas, Chorister; Florencio Cora, Staff Performer; Lianne Coble-Dispensa, Chorister; Jōvan Dansberry, Dancer; Karen Dixon, Chorister; Anne Dyas, Staff Performer; Tobin Eason, Dancer; Ashley Emerson, Soloist; Kenneth Floyd, Chorister; Theresa Ganley, Stage Manager; Katharine Goeldner, Soloist; David Gonsier, Dancer; Katherine Hozier, Dancer; Mary Hughes, Chorister; Nathaniel Hunt, Dancer; Matthew Kernisky, Staff Performer; Jarrod Lee, Extra Chorister; Shawna Lucey, Stage Director; Megan Marino Mayes, Soloist; Brandon Mayberry, Chorister; Scott Moon, Stage Manager; Maria Phegan, Dancer; Daniel Rigazzi, Stage Director; Mark Schowalter, Soloist; Elizabeth Sciblo, Soloist Delegate; Bradley Schelver, Dancer; Marcus Shields, Stage Director; Daniel Smith, Chorister; Andrew Stenson, Soloist; Sarah Weber-Gallo, Dancer