Broadway’s glittering lights could dim this autumn as two influential labor unions—representing the actors, stage managers, and the talented musicians behind the curtain—are locked in tense negotiations with the commercial producers over new contracts.
A crucial mediation session is set to commence this Wednesday to bridge the divide between Actors’ Equity Association and the Broadway League, which represents the producers and venue owners. Despite 11 meetings since August, progress has been slow, prompting Equity to gather signatures from its members, signaling their readiness to strike if necessary.
Al Vincent Jr., Equity’s executive director, commented on the challenging nature of the talks: “We anticipated this would be a tough negotiation, and it has proven to be so; our proposals haven’t seen much movement from their side yet.”
Meanwhile, the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 is poised to announce a strike authorization vote on Wednesday evening. This move would empower union leaders to call for a strike if they deem it essential to secure a fair agreement. Their next bargaining session is slated for Tuesday.
Robert Suttmann, president of the musicians’ union, voiced his concerns: “We truly hope producers will understand the immense value our members bring. However, current discussions with the Broadway League are deeply frustrating, and our members are not just angry, they are prepared to take any action necessary, including a strike.”
Mollie Downes, an Actors’ Equity Association member, recently distributed informational fliers to theatergoers waiting in line at the TKTS booth in Times Square, known for selling last-minute, discounted tickets. (Credit: Ye Fan for The New York Times)
Last season, Broadway’s box office soared to record highs, largely thanks to several popular star-studded plays. Union members argue this success should translate into improved compensation and benefits. However, producers counter that since the pandemic, new musicals have faced an alarming failure rate, necessitating tighter cost controls to stabilize the industry.
The unions are united in their frustration over the slow pace of negotiations. In a show of solidarity, they launched an online petition on Friday, gathering signatures to demonstrate widespread support for their members.
While the Broadway League refrained from commenting directly on a potential strike, they issued a statement asserting their commitment: “We are eager to return to the bargaining table this week in good faith and are prepared to finalize these contracts.”
Even Congress is taking notice. Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, is reportedly collecting signatures for a letter to be sent Wednesday evening. The letter is expected to warn of the significant economic fallout a strike would inflict on workers and businesses, urging all parties to swiftly reach a resolution.
Why Are These Tensions Escalating?
The core issue stems from expired contracts: the musicians’ agreement lapsed on August 31st, followed by Equity’s on September 28th. This means members of both unions are currently working without active collective bargaining agreements.
Both unions are pushing for substantial pay raises and increased contributions from producers towards employee health care. While specific figures for the raises remain undisclosed, it’s worth noting that a Broadway actor’s minimum weekly salary currently stands at $2,638.
Producers, on the other hand, are keen to rein in the soaring costs associated with staging Broadway shows. While salaries and benefits are a significant part of any production’s budget, they aren’t the sole concern. Both union members and some producers highlight theater rent as another substantial expense that warrants closer examination. Meanwhile, unions emphasize that the cost of living in New York City has steadily increased, making it harder for their members to make ends meet.
The Health Insurance Battleground
Equity is particularly worried about the financial stability of its insurance plan, projecting a deficit for the upcoming year. The union argues that producers contribute less per actor to health insurance compared to other unionized stage actors nationwide. The League, however, claims Equity misrepresents their support, pointing out that the health care fund also receives revenue from box office grosses. Equity maintains this revenue is essential for pensions, not health care.
For musicians, the argument is straightforward: rising healthcare costs demand greater employer support to ensure their members can afford necessary coverage.
The League reaffirmed its position in a statement, saying, “we absolutely advocate for robust health coverage and have consistently been open to discussing health contributions within the framework of our negotiations.”
Additional Points of Contention
Since the pandemic, both parties agree that actor absenteeism due to illness has increased. Equity is pushing for producers to hire more “swings” (performers capable of stepping in for absent ensemble members) and additional backup for stage managers. The League, conversely, is focused on strategies to curb these rising absenteeism rates.
Another key demand from Equity is to impose new limits on consecutive performances without a day off. While a typical Broadway week involves six days and eight shows, the current contract permits actors to perform up to 16 consecutive shows without a break. This often occurs during peak demand, such as the holiday season, when extra performances are scheduled.
Beyond these, other issues persist. Equity seeks clearer contractual language regarding physical therapy access for all members, including stage managers. The League maintains that adequate physical therapy is already provided. Furthermore, the League aims to reduce compensation for certain orchestra contractors, arguing their administrative roles have evolved, a proposal the union staunchly opposes.
Would a Strike Close Every Broadway Show?
Not necessarily. The contracts currently under negotiation don’t cover every single Broadway production. This means a select number of shows would likely continue performances even if a strike occurs. The exact impact would hinge on which specific union initiates the strike, as their contracts vary. For example, fall productions like the musical “Ragtime” and the plays “Punch” and “Marjorie Prime” are expected to proceed, as they are managed by non-profit organizations.
Shows Off Broadway and outside New York City are generally expected to continue, with one notable exception. A strike by Equity would likely impact the Minneapolis production of “Purple Rain,” which is slated for Broadway, because its cast and stage managers fall under the Broadway contract.
Broadway’s History with Strikes
Broadway’s most recent major work stoppage was a 19-day stagehands strike in 2007, which brought most shows to a halt. Historically, Broadway has experienced about a half-dozen other strikes, with the longest being a 30-day actors’ strike in 1919. The actors’ union itself last went on strike in 1968.