MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT - American Guild of Musical Artists

COMPANY STANDARDS SIDELETTER
August 1, 2011
Alan S. Gordon, Esq.
National Executive Director
AGMA
1430 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Dear Mr. Gordon:
ABT and AGMA acknowledge that issues involving the health, weight and
physical appearance of dancers are, at once sensitive, personal and emotionally charged
and also of artistic concern. In an effort to protect and promote the respective rights
and interests of both ABT and individual dancers and to assure a harmonious
workplace, AGMA and ABT establish the procedures below with regard to the individual
Artist meetings to discuss issues involving health and weight.
In the event that the Employer wishes to conduct an initial formal
discussion regarding the health and/or weight of an individual Artist, such discussion
may only occur under the following conditions:
• There shall be no weigh-ins by ABT staff on site. ABT may require certification of
weight by a health professional acceptable to ABT.
• The Artist and AGMA must be notified in advance that the Employer intends to
schedule a meeting to discuss an individual Artist’s weight (except where, in
ABT’s judgment, immediate action is required to protect an Artist’s health or
safety);
• The meeting will be scheduled during regular rehearsal hours at a mutually
agreeable date and time with adequate notice to allow for all relevant parties to
be present;
• The only participants other than the Artist in such meeting shall be:
1) A senior member of the artistic staff; and
2) If requested by the Artist, a representative of AGMA; and
3) A health professional designated by the Artist (such as a physician, a
nutritionist, or another health professional); and
4) If requested by ABT, the ABT physical therapist or another health
professional; and
5) With prior notice to the Employer, the Artist may have an additional
witness of the Artist’s choice present at the meeting, which may include an
AGMA Delegate.
• There will be a written summary of the meeting which shall be reviewed by ABT,
the Artist, and AGMA.
4838-7492-6350.5