4 Tiers of Associate Musicians
About Us
We are an independent bargaining unit of the Metropolitan Opera Association. Our group encompass all musicians beyond the Regular Orchestra (RO). Each season we total between 150-200 musicians, playing roughly 6,000-6,500 performances, or roughly 30% of the orchestra’s workload.
Technically we are under the same Master Contract as the Regular Orchestra, however, we negotiate separate MOA’s (Memorandum of Agreement) for each term. Many of our terms, rates, and conditions are specific to Associates and do not apply to the RO. The National Labor Board would most likely view the Associates and RO as being one bargaining unit, despite the fact that we have bargained separately for over 4 decades.
Pool String Players: 3 players remain in this group and have a contract for the NY season, receiving base pay salary, media salary, and a guaranteed four shows per week. Pool Strings participate in the Met’s health insurance and pension plans and are protected under “Dismissal for Cause” in the Master Contract.
Pool Percussion, Brass, Woodwind, Harp, and Guitar: These players are hired on an as needed basis, are guaranteed first call, and may receive some benefits (ex: Local 802 health plan & pension contributions) based on the number of shows played.
Rostered Musicians: These 25 players are guaranteed first call after the Pool players and may receive some benefits based on the number of shows played. If there is cause for dismissal, they are to be given a written warning by January 1, followed by 90 days to resolve the problem to the satisfaction of the MET.
Extra Musicians: All players beyond the Roster are hired on an as needed basis and may receive some benefits based on the number of shows played.
History
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Since the early 1960’s, the MET had hiring a high number of “extra” musicians which eventually warranted creating a separate contract with governing rules specific to these musicians. Prior to the Pool, these musicians were called “Steady Extras”, and those players were given a formal full-time contract if they exceeded 124 shows a season. Many players became members of the Regular Orchestra in this way, including two of the former Assistant Orchestra Managers.
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In the late 1970’s, just prior to the 1980 lockout, the current AMMO agreements were first negotiated. After the lockout was settled, and the RO reduced their required shows to 4 a week, the Pool was developed as a response to MET Management’s increased need for extra musicians.
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Up until 1992, vacancies in the Pool were filled by advertised public auditions in the NY area. The audition committee was made up of RO section principals and Music Director James Levine.
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In the 1990’s AMMO traded a clause that required MET Management to replenish Pool positions through audition in return for equal pay for all Associate Musicians, a salary for Pool Strings, and participation in the Metropolitan Opera Pension Plan for certain AMMO musicians.
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In 2005 a media deal (negotiated with Volpe and Gelb) guaranteed the Pool Strings a Media Salary which de facto placed them on a more equal standing with the Regular Orchestra. They became integrated in the scheduled rotation of players in all events (other than orchestral concerts where, for example, the RO 1st Violin section numbering 18 players leaves no room for 1st Violin Pool musicians to be scheduled).
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In 2009 AMMO was formally incorporated as a NYS not-for-profit Corporation. AMMO is governed by by-laws crafted in the 80’s, modified in the 90’s (approved by the Local 802 Executive Board), and formally adopted by AMMO Corporation when it was formed.
Voting & Ratification
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All Associate Musicians who have played 30 shows in two of the past three seasons are qualified to ratify all contract agreements and to vote for their Committee representatives, by-law amendments, and all other matters.
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Generally 50-60 musicians qualify each year to vote.
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These voting rights are codified in the by-laws which when drafted were approved by the Local 802 Executive Board and ratified by the voting members of AMMO.
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Each Fall the MET provides the AMMO Committee performance totals and rehearsal hours for each musician from the previous season. That information is then collated, and the musicians who meet the voting qualifications are determined. The AMMO Committee can also verify members’ qualifications for various benefits earned by their number of performances plus rehearsal hours.
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Each Fall AMMO members are assessed generally $1-2 a show (based on the previous season's show totals) in order to cover organizational and outside counsel expenses.
Assessment
The yearly assessment of Associate Musicians is vital to keeping our group strong by preparing us to be financially equipped to fund any professional help that may be necessary especially during contract negotiations which can include legal counsel and PR services. These professional services will most likely be expensive and building a strong reserve fund is crucial for fiduciary responsibility. It is essential for us to be prepared for these possible expenses since we will have potentially little or no support from government agencies.
Contracts & Bylaws
Copies of our CBA and by-laws are readily available to all members. The committee is always happy to answer any questions you may have about these documents.
Strike Fund
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The strike fund is administrated by the AFM.
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Each season, 50 people with the highest number of hours played in the previous season qualify for the strike fund.
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$75 is deducted from the qualifying member's paycheck and sent to the AFM strike fund. This is usually deducted in January.
