After the actors and stage managers union Actors Equity Association agreed to a new contract early last week, the musician’s union AFM Local 802 threatened to strike on Thursday morning if an agreement could no be made.
Despite a record breaking year on Broadway, the Broadway League was pushing for lower wages; while the unions were looking for an increase.
Facing a strike that would cripple Broadway, Local 802 and the Broadway League agreed to a contract on Thursday. The agreement still needs to be ratified by the union, but, at least for now, the strike has been averted.
AFM Local 802 President Bob Suttmann in a statement said, “united in solidarity, Local 802 Broadway musicians are thrilled to announce that we reached a tentative agreement at 4:30 AM with the Broadway League that will avert a strike scheduled to begin later today. This three-year agreement provides meaningful wage and health benefit increases that will preserve crucial access to healthcare for our musicians while maintaining the strong contract protections that empower musicians to build a steady career on Broadway.
Local 802 members have been working without a contract since the previous one expired August 31.
The Broadway League averted a catastrophic shutdown of Broadway last week when they negotiated a tentative settlement with Actors Equity on October 18 – the contract must still be ratified by the 51,000 member plus union – that includes a $79 per week increase in pay from a minimum of $2,638 to $2,717. The salary would increase by three percent each year over the next three years.
Swing actors – those who portray multiple roles in a single production – will get an additional six percent increase over the current salary.
Broadway producers will contribute more each week to the Actors Equity health insurance fund. Acting can be a very stressful job on a body. Under the new deal, actors may request physical therapy whether the show offers it or not.
Holiday schedules can bring extra shows or have a show scheduled on an off day. Actors now have a limit of 12 days in a row of performances. A normal week on Broadway is eight shows per week.
Stage managers will be able to hire extra personnel when needed due to technical issues.
If an actor has sufficient reason – sickness, injury, and personal or family emergency, etc. – they may call off without fear of disciplinary action.
In an attempt to make Broadway a little greener, producers may use a QR code to announce cast changes instead of paper inserts. In the case of a show that does not allow phones, the paper inserts will still be used.
AEA representatives who negotiated the contract noted, “we have achieved a strong deal without making any major concessions. We were able to find creative ways to meet some of their asks without impacting our ability to deliver strong and safe work in their shows.”
Details of the musicians contract have not yet been released.