A potential strike that threatened to halt many Broadway musicals has been averted after the musicians’ union reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League early Thursday morning. The American Federation of Musicians Local 802 and the Broadway League, a trade association for producers and theater owners, finalized the deal after an 18-hour bargaining session aided by a mediator. The agreement, which still requires ratification by union members, includes wage increases and enhanced contributions to the health fund, ensuring access to healthcare for musicians.
Local 802 Broadway musicians were thrilled to announce that they reached a tentative agreement at 4:30 a.m. with the Broadway League that will avert a strike scheduled to begin later today.” The musicians had been working without a contract.
The agreement comes just days after the Broadway League reached a separate tentative contract with the Actors’ Equity Association, the union representing performers and stage managers. The actors’ union’s deal includes a 3 percent salary increase each year over a three-year period, along with increased contributions to their health fund. Both unions had threatened to strike, but with these agreements, a disruption is now seen as unlikely.
The Gotham Reporter 