Actors’ Equity has avoided going on strike for now, as the union has reached a tentative agreement in its talks with the Broadway League for a new contract.
Al Vincent, Jr., Actors’ Equity executive director and lead negotiator for the new production contract, announced on Saturday morning that the tentative deal was reached after going back-and-forth all night with Broadway’s national trade association.
“After a marathon mediation session lasting until 6 a.m., Equity and The Broadway League have reached a tentative agreement on the Production Contract,” said Vincent.
“This three-year agreement saves the Equity-League Health Fund while also making strides in our other priorities including scheduling and physical therapy access,” he continued. “Now we will bring the deal to our members for ratification, and 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.”
Local 802 union president Robert Suttmann celebrated the potential agreement as well, while continuing to fight for Broadway musicians’ own production contract. “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,” he said.
Equity, which represents stage actors and stage managers, and The Broadway League have been in negotiations for a new production contract since August 25. The most recent three-year contract expired September 28.
Among the points of contention are health care (specifically, the amount of money producers should contribute to the union’s health care fund); Equity’s push for the hiring of additional swings (the performers who cover absent performers) and backup for stage managers (absenteeism in general has been on the rise since Covid); and actor schedules, especially during the year-end holiday weeks when additional performances are added.
Equity members have already voted in favor of a strike authorization.
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