(September 2024) AGMA Choristers of the San Francisco Symphony have officially gone on strike, effective September 19th, 2024.
On 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.
” … I cannot recall the last time AGMA went on strike.” — AGMA President Ned Hanlon …
“The AGMA Board of Governors and Artists around the country stand firmly behind all the Choristers of the San Francisco Symphony,” said AGMA President Ned Hanlon. “I cannot recall the last time AGMA went on strike. We urge (both parties) to … work toward a real solution that honors the work of these dedicated artists and gets everyone back to creating beautiful music.”
The AGMA Negotiating Committee also issued a statement: “We did not take the decision to strike lightly. We would much rather be opening the season. Our goal has always been to protect the rights of the AGMA Choristers and secure a contract that allows us to continue to thrive artistically and financially.”
The AGMA Choristers of the SF Symphony invite interested parties to join them on the picket line Friday (tonight, 9/20) and Saturday night (9/21) at 6:00 p.m. PT along Grove Street in front of Davies Symphony Hall.
— From media reports.
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