News

AGMA Ratifies 2-Year Agreement with Pittsburgh Opera

Published July 26, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Pittsburgh Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 2-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Across-the-board increases of 3% in the first year 5% in the second year for Principals, 4.5% for Production Staff, 4% for all other Artists Up-front payment for soloists Paid sick leave for hourly and per-performance artists, including for missed performances (per-performance minimum or 25% of fee for principals, whichever is greater) Nine-hour day for Stage Managers, 11-hour turnaround time Reimbursement of up to... Read More -->

Support Workers Fighting Against AI at G/O Media: Send a Letter

Published July 18, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

Support the workers of GMG Union and Onion Union in their efforts to safeguard the integrity of journalism and protect their rights. SEND A LETTER to G/O Editorial Director Merrill Brown, Deputy Editorial Director Lea Goldman, and CEO Jim Spanfeller, urging them to immediately halt their current hostile deployment of AI for content generation. It takes two minutes! The dedicated workers of GMG Union and Onion Union, representing renowned platforms such as The A.V. Club, Deadspin, Gizmodo, Jalopnik, Jezebel, Kotaku, The Onion, Quartz, The Root, and The Takeout, are unwaveringly opposing G/O Media's use of AI to produce editorial content. Your support and voice in this matter will undoubtedly contribute to the cause and make a... Read More -->

Ned Hanlon’s First President’s Report

Published July 17, 2023   |  By Nikolas Wenzel  |  Post in All Areas

WATCH ON VIMEO Approximate Transcript of President Hanlon’s First Report Originally presented on June 20, 2023 at the AGMA Board Governors June meeting Good afternoon! I’m Ned Hanlon, and it is an HONOR to deliver my FIRST report as AGMA President. I want to officially welcome AGMA’s Board of Governors to this new term. Whether you are new or returning leaders of AGMA, I want to thank you for volunteering your time, expertise, and unique skillsets to our union’s members and the betterment of the Union. And to ALL AGMA members who may be watching or reading these remarks today, thank you for entrusting me with this privilege; I will not let you down. With the new leadership officially installed, it’s time... Read More -->

AGMA Stands in Solidarity with SAG-AFTRA

Published July 13, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

SAG-AFTRA members will join Writers Guild of America (WGA) members on the picket lines for the first time in 63 years as part of a historic labor battle. United in our commitment to creativity, compassion, and excellence, AGMA expresses our unwavering solidarity with the members of SAG-AFTRA. In these times of uncertainty and union busting, AGMA joins the Hollywood Unions and Guilds in their fight for a fair and equitable contract. We echo the recent joint statement and call on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to respect their workers and negotiate in good faith. We extend our support and respect to all impacted by the strike. Your selfless dedication will not go unnoticed. Your artistry enha... Read More -->

AGMA Update: CCO illegally subcontracted dancers, then withheld payment until dancers withheld labor

Published July 10, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

On June 28, AGMA shared a social media update on what’s been happening at Central City Opera this summer, including that we have a number of pending grievances and have filed 5 Unfair Labor Practices. We’d like to expand on some of that now. CCO has illegally subcontracted dancers. Dancers are covered under our CBA – every dancer hired by CCO should be on an AGMA contract. These dancers are not. In bargaining, CCO tried - and failed - to get the right to subcontract bargaining unit work included in their management rights proposal. We defeated that in bargaining and limited their right to subcontract, permitting sub-contracting to only non-AGMA positions; like if they wanted to subcontract their accounting department. D... Read More -->

Announcing 2023-2025 Standing Committees of the AGMA Board of Governors

Published July 6, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

In June, AGMA announced the Union’s new president, officers, and governors, and now, following a Board election, the Standing Committees have been filled. Like many unions and organizations, the AGMA Board of Governors has delegated some of its functions to committees. AGMA’s committees do an incredible amount of work each month to help the Union function. Set forth in the Constitution, the six Standing Committees of the AGMA Board of Governors are: Executive Council Administration and Policy Work Rules and Contracts Membership and Member Relations Finance and Budget Personnel The committees are places for more focused and expert discussions on important issues before those issues are raised to the full Bo... Read More -->

Reminder: Ask Us Anything Staging Staff Caucus Panel on July 10

Published   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host its first PUBLIC meeting Monday, July 10, at 9:00 p.m. ET. For those who might not know, the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus is made up of AGMA Directors, Choreographers, Stage Managers, and all their Associates and Assistants, so this event is open to both AGMA members and non-members who work in those Staging Staff roles across the dance and opera/concert industries. The evening will feature an “Ask Us Anything” panel made up of AGMA Directors, Choreographers, and Stage Managers. Participants will also be able to ask exploratory questions; for example, a theatre Stage Manager might want to ask a dance Stage Manager what their day-to-day is like. AGMA members: feel free... Read More -->

AGMA Ratifies 1-Year Agreement with Seattle Opera

Published July 3, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Seattle Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 1-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: 3% increase to fees and compensation retroactive to 10/1/22 Negotiated rates for artist participation in promotional/fund-raising events are now fully covered by the Agreement Upfront payment of all per diem and minimum payments for all Principals upon arrival With no obligation to pay back if contract is canceled by SO or artist for any reason All promotional media activity is now considered an “Artist Service” to be ... Read More -->

AGMA Ratifies 3-Year Agreement with Musica Sacra

Published June 29, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Musica Sacra was approved by AGMA leadership, 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: Wage increases of 3% in Year 2 and 3% in Year 3 to performance fees and hourly rehearsal rates; Increased media fees in Years 2 ($80) and 3 ($85) Increased studio recording fees in Years 2 ($260) and 3 ($270) Increase subcontracting rates in Years 2 (3%) and 3 (3%) Increased radio broadcast fees ($160) in exchange for expanded radio broadcast rights Modernized CBA throughout document to include use of electronic contracts,... Read More -->

AGMA Ratifies 4-Year Agreement with Los Angeles Opera

Published June 28, 2023   |  By Musical Artists  |  Post in All Areas

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Los Angeles Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 4-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS PRINCIPAL ARTISTS Advance payments for Principal Artists Addition of a compensated Principal Delegate  Fee breakdown provided PRODUCTION STAFF Improved working conditions Additional guaranteed prep time for Tier 2 productions  Reduction in hours before OT CHORISTERS Maintaining preferred hiring percentages for Choristers while also lowering some barriers for newer and traditionally underrepresented artists Annual increa... Read More -->