The musicians of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 that work on Broadway are currently negotiating with the Broadway League for the new contract. The union has authorized a strike, but at this moment it is merely a negotiating tactic.
The strike option could be used if contract negotiations continue to be unsuccessful or break down.
The musicians have been working without a contract since August 31, 2025. In the new contract, the union is seeking “increased wages, increased healthcare contributions, and employment and income security.”
Local 802 President Bob Suttmann spoke on the matter via a statement saying, “on the heels of the most successful season in history, the Broadway League wants the working musicians and artists who fueled that very success to accept wage cuts, threats to healthcare benefits, and potential job losses. Faced with such an egregious erosion of their working conditions, Local 802 Broadway musicians and other artists are ready to leverage every ounce of their collective power, up to and including a strike. Committing to anything less would mean sacrificing far too many hard-won gains.”
The Broadway League is also in negotiations with the Actors’ Equity Association – the actor and stage manager union – whose contract expired September 28. Actros Equity has similar demands to the musicians and also has stated that negotiations are less than successful. The AEA has also authorized a strike if necessary.
Over 1,300 actors and stage managers have signed a letter that has been sent to the Broadway League stating:
“Eight times a week, we show up for our audiences, but what audiences don’t see are all the additional hours behind the scenes it takes to stay show-ready. The work is intense, the schedules are grueling, and we show up with extraordinary skill, passion, and commitment. Now we’re asking you to show up for us.”
Adam Lambert, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Phillipa Soo, Darren Criss, and Alec Baldwin are among the actors who have signed the letter.
It a strike occurs, it will affect all of Broadway. Playing at the Lincoln Center Theater, “Ragtime” is the only show that would not be affected.
Only “Ragtime”, “Punch”, and “Little Bear Ridge Road” are under separate contracts and would not be affected by a strike.
Off-Broadway productions will also not be affected by a strike. They have a different contract. Nor will touring shows.
Even the politicians are weighing in on the contract negotiations with 31 members of Congress sending letter to The Broadway League, Actors’ Equity, and Musicians local 802 urging them to reach an agreement on the contracts saying, “Broadway and all theatre is essential not just to New York, but to our national identity, culture and economy. A disruption to Broadway will result in significant economic disruption to not just the New York metropolitan area but harm theatre workers and patrons across the country and around the world.”
Even New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani took a stance saying “Broadway’s actors, musicians, and crew make New York the cultural capital of the world. Their health care is on the line, and it’s time for a fair deal that protects it.”
Broadway League president Jason Laks noted, “despite high ticket sales, soaring labor, production, and rental costs have made it increasingly difficult for Broadway musicals to break even—estimating that around 10 percent of musicals are now profitable.”
If a strike takes place, patrons are eligible for refunds of the cancelled shows.
The last time the Actors Equity went on strike it was 1968 and lasted only three days before the Mayor stepped in. In 2003 the musicians went on strike for five days. The stagehands hold the longest strike on Broadway with 19 days in 2007.