American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) the labor organization that represents the men and women who create America’s operatic, choral and dance heritage.
James Odom, President. Alan S. Gordon, National Executive Director, Negotiator.
History:
Date of foundation: 1936
Place of foundation: New York City
First Leaders: Lawrence Tibbett, Alma Gluck and Jascha Heifetz.
The circumstances that led to this union being formed: Was founded in an effort to eliminate exploitation of opera singers who were being forced into oppressive contracts without benefits or protections. Over the years, of the Guild expanded its jurisdiction to include dancers (including athletes who dance on ice) and production personnel.
Union nowadays:
Amount of members: 8'000
The purpose of the union:Protect the interests of solo musical artists in the field of opera and later expanded to include dancers, choreographers and some categories of stage managers.
What does it do for its members: Does not prohibit its members from performing non-union work.
Provides an extensive nationwide net of attorneys and negotiation specialists to defend the professional, civil and human rights of its members.
Current Leadership:
President : James Odom
Negotiator: National Executive Director Alan S. Gordon.
Current news and issues:
-New York City Opera has filed for bankruptcy protection. AGMA is preparing a claim on behalf of AGMA artists who have contracts to perform in any production scheduled for the 2013-2014 season.
-AGMA is delighted to report the recovery of $252,768.54 in bankruptcy court.
AGMA asserted a claim against the Company’s bankrupt estate for pay owing to members under the “pay or play” clause of our contract for cancelled performances (specifically, for the cancelled 2009 productions of Grapes of Wrath and Salome.) After resolving litigation in bankruptcy court, AGMA was successful in recovering the sum of $252,768.54, which we are in the process of finalizing the distribution to members who were due pay under the “pay or play” clause.
Deadline for returning release forms is May 1, 2013
-AGMA and Actors’ Equity Make Peace
Of special interest to members is the fact that now members of either union can attend the other union’s auditions
AGMA members in good standing for at least one year and
who have worked under an AGMA contract may join Equity
by virtue of membership in AGMA. The cost to join Equity
would be their then current initiation fee less the $500 initiation fee previously paid to AGMA. AGMA has a standard letter that needs to be presented to Equity upon joining.
Sources:
http://www.musicalartists.org,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Guild_of_Musical_Artists,
http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/tamwag/wag_209/wag_209.html
Date of foundation: 1936
Place of foundation: New York City
First Leaders: Lawrence Tibbett, Alma Gluck and Jascha Heifetz.
The circumstances that led to this union being formed: Was founded in an effort to eliminate exploitation of opera singers who were being forced into oppressive contracts without benefits or protections. Over the years, of the Guild expanded its jurisdiction to include dancers (including athletes who dance on ice) and production personnel.
Union nowadays:
Amount of members: 8'000
The purpose of the union:Protect the interests of solo musical artists in the field of opera and later expanded to include dancers, choreographers and some categories of stage managers.
What does it do for its members: Does not prohibit its members from performing non-union work.
Provides an extensive nationwide net of attorneys and negotiation specialists to defend the professional, civil and human rights of its members.
Current Leadership:
President : James Odom
Negotiator: National Executive Director Alan S. Gordon.
Current news and issues:
-New York City Opera has filed for bankruptcy protection. AGMA is preparing a claim on behalf of AGMA artists who have contracts to perform in any production scheduled for the 2013-2014 season.
-AGMA is delighted to report the recovery of $252,768.54 in bankruptcy court.
AGMA asserted a claim against the Company’s bankrupt estate for pay owing to members under the “pay or play” clause of our contract for cancelled performances (specifically, for the cancelled 2009 productions of Grapes of Wrath and Salome.) After resolving litigation in bankruptcy court, AGMA was successful in recovering the sum of $252,768.54, which we are in the process of finalizing the distribution to members who were due pay under the “pay or play” clause.
Deadline for returning release forms is May 1, 2013
-AGMA and Actors’ Equity Make Peace
Of special interest to members is the fact that now members of either union can attend the other union’s auditions
AGMA members in good standing for at least one year and
who have worked under an AGMA contract may join Equity
by virtue of membership in AGMA. The cost to join Equity
would be their then current initiation fee less the $500 initiation fee previously paid to AGMA. AGMA has a standard letter that needs to be presented to Equity upon joining.
Sources:
http://www.musicalartists.org,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Guild_of_Musical_Artists,
http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/tamwag/wag_209/wag_209.html