Actors’ Equity has reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League on a new contract, avoiding the possibility of a strike.
The union, which represents actors and stage managers, said it reached an agreement on the Broadway contract after a mediation session that began Friday and lasted until 6 a.m. ET Saturday. The contract must still be ratified by the members.
“After a marathon mediation session that lasted until 6 a.m., Equity and the Broadway League reached a tentative agreement on the production contract. This three-year agreement saves the Equity-League health fund while making progress on our other priorities, including scheduling and access to physical therapy. We will now submit the agreement to our members for ratification, and in the meantime, we bring Our full support to AFM Local 802 as it works with the League to reach an agreement that avoids a strike. ” Equity said in a statement.
Details of the deal were not immediately available, but Equity had highlighted the League’s health insurance contributions as a prior sticking point in negotiations. Prior to the tentative agreement, Equity voted to authorize a strike if necessary and asked members to sign strike cards. A mediator recently intervened after weeks of negotiations.
AFM Local 802, which represents Broadway musicians, is still negotiating its contract with the League and recently voted in favor of a strike, if necessary.
“We are grateful that our brothers and sisters at Actors’ Equity have reached an agreement. Local 802 is still in negotiations for a fair contract, and everything remains on the table, including a strike,” Local 802 Union President Robert Suttmann said in a statement.
