Author Topic: AGMA?  (Read 10876 times)

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fuzzy_7

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AGMA?
« on: Sep 18, 2006, 07:08 am »
Are there any AGMA SM's out there? How did you become associated with AGMA? What are the benefits of AGMA as compared to AEA?
Derek A. Fuzzell

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #1 on: Sep 18, 2006, 09:49 am »
AGMA is for musical artists- dance, opera, symphony.

Khashley

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #2 on: Sep 24, 2006, 12:47 am »
The biggest benfit to AGMA is it's an open union. Which means that you can work both AMGA and non-AMGA events. Of course they cover two different fields so it really comes down to want you what to do.

loebtmc

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #3 on: Sep 24, 2006, 01:30 am »
It's a different animal even though we both work with performers and on stages.

My friends who SM in AGMA - mostly for opera - bitch all the time because the negotiators always forget abt the SMs. Meals? Breaks? what are they? Turnarounds? who needs 'em. On the other hand, the trade-off for a weaker union and less protections is that the pay can be quite high - one friend calls it her hazard pay.



LisaEllis

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #4 on: Oct 14, 2006, 05:29 pm »

AGMA contracts vary from company to company, and there is no "standard" agreement to speak of.  Some agreements are posted on the website, so you can look into them. www.musicalartists.org

There are very few companies that offer any health insurance benefits, etc., thru AGMA.  I carry my own insurance and deduct it against my 1099s.  I've worked on a few big contracts with great benefits, and some that don't.  It's a grab bag, for sure.

Since AGMA is a sister union of AEA, I think you can join at a discounted rate.  There is no great hiring benefit either way...I can work union or non union opera or ballet in any state without issues.  The question is always if you're familiar with the union rules and have worked under it previously.  If you're offered a contract, it's easy to join at that point.

Let me know if you have more specific questions I can help with!

smejs

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #5 on: Jan 12, 2007, 12:44 am »
Quote
Since AGMA is a sister union of AEA, I think you can join at a discounted rate.

The normal fee, as per AGMA's website is a $500 initiation fee and $78/year, plus 2% wages. I emailed AGMA's membership department and today I got a response:  "We do have a discount on the initiation fee for Equity members in good standing.  The initiation fee is $250.  There is no reduction on the basic dues and work dues."

Erin

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #6 on: Jan 12, 2007, 01:15 pm »
I recently was offered a position that would require me to join AGMA.  I am already an AEA member and am excited to join up with the sister union.

My friends that are already AGMA do complain that it doesn't protect you as much as AEA with meal breaks, prep time, etc.  But pay is often higher.  Insurance is often handled through a fee-per-performance method.  (i.ei you get a fee that you can apply directly to medical care or use to pay cobra payments on other insurance.)

For me, not all benefits of union membership are monetary or on paper.  There is a sense of accomplishment I get from being in the unions.  It does not necessarily make me more professional, but it might make a difference on my resume.

I will gladly keep posting about my AGMA process.  (Since I just accepted the job a few days ago, I haven't been contacted by the union yet.) 

pookiesirn

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #7 on: Feb 22, 2007, 06:42 pm »
Since AGMA contracts are individual to the actual Opera/Ballet Company itself, it is a different set of rules to work under for each house.  AGMA contracts on the whole are getting better each negotiation, and the union is trying hard to begin to have the same language in all contracts.  Most larger companies do have good language in their contracts regarding prep time (usually a week), breaks, meal penalties, etc.  As for health insurance, there are two types in the contracts, Plan A or Plan B.  Plan A is only an option at a few companies, and functions like normal health insurance.  Plan B is in most contracts, and is like a medical savings account where the opera company gives you a certain amount of money into this fund, and you pay your private health insurance out of this. 

BeckyGG

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Re: AGMA?
« Reply #8 on: Feb 23, 2007, 10:25 pm »
On a random AGMA side-note...I am currently working on a straight play that is on an AGMA contract.  The company I am working for has negotiated a contract with AGMA that is similar to a LORT contract and apparently AGMA is quite happy to have the theatrical company as a part of their union.
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