San Francisco Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) have announced a two-year agreement. The new agreement was ratified on August 25, 2025 and is retroactively effective from March 1, 2025 and runs through Feb. 28, 2027. It includes pay increases, equitable pay adjustments, enhanced work-life protections, new benefits, and improvements to scheduling and the audition process. “This {…}
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has come to a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with Music Sacra. The agreement, which includes a 10 percent wage increase throughout the contract’s duration, goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2025 and runs through August 31, 2028. There will also be strengthened hiring practices through the creation of a Season Chorus List {…}
After months of lobbying, the Metropolitan Opera has received $5 million in one-time operating support from the State of New York. According to a press release by AGMA members who work at the Metropolitan Opera, with the support of AGMA staff, they helped deliver the win, not just for the Met but for the future of opera in New York. {…}
(source: San Francisco Symphony Official Website) The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is speaking out against the San Francisco Symphony’s management for misleading patrons about the negotiations with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Per a press release, AGMA claims that it offered a one-time reduction in compensation back in September to settle the dispute and did all it could {…}
(Photo credit: Anastasia Sistevaris) Unable to perform this past year due to a chronic illness that directly affects her vocal mechanism, mezzo-soprano Molly Noori has turned towards advocating for other singers in a similar position. Through her new non-profit, The Chronicled Voice, Molly has created a safe space for opera singers to talk openly about their frustrations, fears, and ideas {…}
The AGMA Board of Governors has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz for President and Vice President of the United States in the 2024 election. The Musical Union for Artists said, “Together, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are THE choice for people who treasure the Arts and artists and believe in workers’ rights and the value {…}
The American Guild of Musical Artists and Central City Opera have reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, beginning May 19, 2023. The new agreement will run through Sept. 1, 2027 and the AGMA Board of Governors, acting through its Executive Council, will ratify the agreement on May 22, 2023. In a statement, Sam Wheeler, National Executive Director of AGMA {…}
AGMA has released a statement regarding the contract negotiation with the Central City Opera. The union said, “Yesterday AGMA and CCO met in bargaining for more than 14 hours. We are pleased to report that we are in agreement with CCO on the main issues that had served as an impediment to an agreement. AGMA and CCO are meeting with {…}
Central City Opera has presented a complete four-year contract to the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) for signature. The company said that AGMA actively allowed its contract with Central City Opera to expire in August of 2022, refusing to negotiate until October, thereby leaving its members without an agreement. The company noted that if AGMA chooses not to sign {…}
Central City Opera (CCO) has issued a statement noting that it has filed an unfair labor practices claim against the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). The claim, which was filed with the National Labor Relations Board, asserts that AGMA has violated several provisions of the National Labor Relations Act during their current collective bargaining agreement negotiations including demanding the {…}
Central City Opera (CCO) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) have both issued statements regarding recent negotiation challenges between the two organizations. AGMA recently took to social media to share a portion of an open letter it had written to the opera company regarding negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Central City Opera that expired {…}