Last week the musicians union AFM Local 802 and the Actors’ Equity union both authorized a strike if contract talks with the Broadway League failed.
The Broadway League was seeking to cut wages, but the unions are looking for an increase; especially since Broadway had its biggest year in history last season.
Any strikes would essentially shut down Broadway.
The Actors’ Equity Association has announced that they have successfully negotiated a new work contract with the Broadway League.
In a post on social media, Actors’ Equity said, “we did it! After a marathon mediation session lasting until 6 a.m., Equity and The Broadway League have reached a tentative agreement on the Production Contract. Now we will bring the deal to our members for ratification.”
Yet to negotiate a contract of their own, the AFM Local 802 president Robert Suttmann issued a statement saying, “we are thankful that our brothers and sisters in labor at Actors’ Equity have reached an agreement. Local 802 is still in negotiation for a fair contract, and everything remains on the table, including a strike.”
With a contract pending, Equity added, “in the meantime, we are putting our full support behind AFM Local 802 as they work with the League to reach a deal that averts a strike.”
Details of the deal between the Actors’ Equity and the Broadway Leage have not been revealed but Actors’ Equity executive director Al Vincent Jr said, “this three-year agreement saves the Equity-League Health Fund while also making strides in our other priorities including scheduling and physical therapy access.”
Local 802 stated last week that if negotiations continue to be unproductive, a strike would be called in the next two weeks. Any strike by the musicians union would affect all Broadway productions that include musicians. The only exception is “Ragtime” which is under a different contract.