Broadway Unions Secure Contracts, Avert Strike

Strategic Insights -

Broadway's major unions, including Local 802 representing musicians and the Actor's Equity Association representing actors and stage managers, were on the brink of going on strike over contentious contract negotiations with The Broadway League. The strike, which would have impacted 23 commercial Broadway shows, was averted after both unions secured tentative agreements with The Broadway League. The agreements, reached after weeks of negotiations, address key demands from the unions, including fair wage increases, stable health coverage, and employment security.

Key Takeaways:

  • Local 802, representing Broadway musicians, had its contract expire on August 31, while the Actor's Equity Association's contract expired on September 28.
  • The unions threatened to go on strike, with Local 802 signing a petition on October 1 and the Actor's Equity Association sending a letter of demands to The Broadway League on an unspecified date.
  • The unions demanded fair wage increases, stable health coverage, and employment security, among other concessions.
  • The Actor's Equity Association's letter of demands was signed by prominent actors including Darren Criss, Alec Baldwin, and Adam Lambert.
  • Local 802 President Bob Suttmann stated that the union's musicians were prepared to initiate a strike on October 23 if an agreement was not reached.
  • A tentative agreement was reached on October 23, averted the strike, and the details of the agreement have not been made public.
  • The Broadway League's Jason Laks stated that the organization was pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and thanked mediators for their work in bringing the parties together.

Statistics:

  • 23 commercial Broadway shows would have been impacted by the strike.
  • The Actor's Equity Association's contract expired on September 28.
  • Local 802's contract expired on August 31.
  • October 1: Local 802 signed a petition.
  • October 18: The Actor's Equity Association reached an agreement with The Broadway League.
  • October 18: The details of the agreement have not been made public.
  • October 23: A tentative agreement was reached, averted the strike, and the details of the agreement have not been made public.
  • October 23: Local 802 President Bob Suttmann stated that the union's musicians were prepared to initiate a strike if an agreement was not reached.

Sources:

  • Eliana Hernandez, "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," President of Local 802 Bob Suttmann said. (Source: Undisclosed publication date, 2022)
  • The Actor's Equity Association, "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," (Source: Undisclosed publication date, 2022)
  • Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League, "We're pleased to have reached a tentative agreement on terms both parties are comfortable with, our focus has been negotiating in good faith at the bargaining table to reach a fair contract, and we thank our mediators for their diligent work bringing us together." (Source: Undisclosed publication date, 2022)