News

Met AGMA Negotiating Committee Update

Published April 5, 2021   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

We hope you all had a restful weekend and a lovely start to April.

Last week, we completed our eighth week of bargaining at the Met. Our work is far from done, and so, we are committed to continuing bargaining beyond the original eight-week period.

Our eighth week was something special, as we made progress on Chorister, Extra-Chorister, and Dancer Proposals and presented our comprehensive Anti-Racism and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Proposals.

We are happy to report that we have made groundbreaking progress on our Anti-racism and DEI proposals including:

  • Expanded notification and access to auditions
  • Anti-racist training for all individuals working with Artists
  • Creation of a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee made up of Artists and management to address concerns related to racism at the Met and in the entire industry

Now, we restart the clock and begin “week one” of our new bargaining period. We have covered a lot of ground the first eight weeks and have no plans on slowing down now. As Met Chorister Stephanie Chigas said, “Music moves forward, never backwards. We, too, must move forward. Art cannot be compromised, and neither can our artistic integrity.  We are working to create a better Met. United we will succeed.”

What’s Happening This Week:

  • Maintaining protections and representation for Artists on the Met stage, in outside venues, and in digital captures
  • Finding resolution on grievances for Dancers and Plan Artists

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