AGMA has become aware of a letter dated September 30 sent by DBDT leadership to community partners in what appears to be an attempt to save face ahead of the new season. While most of the letter is not worth our energy, AGMA feels it necessary to address a few specific falsehoods presented by Executive Director Zenetta Drew. Two things here. 1) “Unfounded”? We have paper trails and receipts. The facts are clear, and dismissing them doesn’t make them any less true. 2) It's interesting that DBDT claims they never denied COBRA coverage. On September 3, Stephanie Hawthorne of DBDT explicitly informed fired dancer Derick McKoy via email that he would be denied COBRA coverage. Following this, AGMA Counsel Martha Kinsella... Read More -->

AGMA proudly announces that President Ned Hanlon has been named to City & State's 2024 Arts & Culture Power 100 list. According to the website, "City & State’s inaugural Arts & Culture Power 100 highlights these leaders in New York, based less on the caliber of collections and exhibits or sellout shows and more on the interplay with local and state government, policy advocacy as well as civic and community engagement." President Hanlon came in at number 87 and appears to be the only labor leader on this list. Reflecting on the honor, President Hanlon stated on social media, "This is a testament to the work that AGMA Artists have done to ensure that our voices are heard both in the workplace and throughout the perform... Read More -->

Numerous states have been tragically affected by Hurricane Helene. Below, you will find essential resources, including emergency services, shelters, financial assistance, and ways to help in recovery efforts across impacted states. Emergency Hotlines If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. For non-emergency assistance, use the following hotlines: FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 Red Cross Disaster Services: 1-800-733-2767 National Guard Assistance: Contact your state's National Guard for updates on military support. Shelter Locations (keep scrolling for more location-specific resources) Shelters are open for those displaced by Hurricane Helene. You can locate your nearest shelter through: Red Cro... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and ​Atlanta Ballet​ was approved by AGMA leadership on August 12, 2024, after being ratified by the shop. Check out the joint release between the Union and the Company. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 4-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Introduction of Exit Pay for Artists who have worked with the company for 5 or more years. New pay structure where the entry level compensation rate will be eliminated by the third year. This successfully eliminates all entry level rates from the past (Apprentice, New Dancer, etc.) that were once up to 50% below the non-entry rate. New minimum compensation (non-entry) rate ... Read More -->

[Atlanta, GA – September 24, 2024] – The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Atlanta Ballet are proud to jointly announce a progressive 4-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that sets a new standard for dancer compensation, working conditions, and long-term security within the ballet industry. The AGMA Board of Governors ratified the CBA on August 12 after being approved by the AGMA Artists at the Ballet. In 2022, Atlanta Ballet and AGMA came together to lead the industry in eliminating the long-held practice of Apprentice status for dancers beginning their careers, increasing entry-level salaries by nearly 40%. This new CBA takes that bold step further, reflecting the mutual commitment of both AGMA and A... Read More -->

Edited September 20 to include picket line schedule and more context. AGMA Choristers of the San Francisco Symphony have officially gone on strike following months of Symphony management proposing drastic and unfair cuts to the Chorus. As of September 19, AGMA Choristers will withhold their labor until a fair agreement is reached. Despite AGMA’s continued efforts to bargain this weekend and avoid a full program shutdown, the Symphony has refused to meet and canceled the three-day run of Verdi's Requiem, the season opener. Anyone in the San Francisco Area is invited to join us on the picket line! Find us Friday (tonight) and Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. PT along Grove Street in front of Davies Symphony Hall.  F... Read More -->

AGMA and Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) jointly announce that we’ve kicked off negotiations for the dancers' first union contract in decades. This historic moment marks a new chapter for the dancers of DTH and we are both committed to a collaborative process that upholds DTH’s legacy while building a stronger, more equitable future for dancers! Here’s a picture from our first bargaining session on September 10. More to come! ... Read More -->

AGMA Presents: Season of Solidarity in Dallas Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) announced their new season, so we figured we would too! As DBDT approaches its 50th anniversary, AGMA's "Season of Solidarity" will highlight the voices of the fired dancers who have been integral to the success of this institution and are now speaking out for justice. Join us on the picket lines on the highlighted dates below to support the fired dancers of DBDT as we demand fairness. AGMA, the dancers, our sibling unions, and community allies will be on the line, sending a clear message to DBDT. This page will continue to be updated with specific details and registration links for each picket closer to the dates, but please mark your calendars! ... Read More -->

On the evening of September 16, AGMA leadership and the AGMA members of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The Choristers voted 100% in favor of the authorization. 98.1% of eligible members participated in the vote, and 81.1% of the unpaid singers from the Verdi Requiem Chorus have pledged to honor an AGMA picket line. A work stoppage is the most powerful action union members can take, but a strike is always a last resort. At this time, it does not mean that a strike has begun. The AGMA Board of Governors has granted Interim National Executive Director Allison Beck and/or her successor, the authority to call a strike if and when necessary, in consultation with the Negotiation Committee. Thi... Read More -->

A strong majority of the Boston-based artists of the Handel and Haydn Society (H+H) Chorus have signed cards to form a union with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). "These singers are making their voices heard, not just on stage, but in their workplace as well,” said Griff Braun, AGMA’s National Organizing Director. “They are taking an important step toward ensuring a strong, collaborative future for their profession. We are proud to support their unionizing efforts.” Founded in 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society has performed for 210 consecutive seasons, making it the longest-running arts organization in the United States. According to their website, H+H’s orchestra and chorus engage more than 76,000 listeners ... Read More -->