Broadway actors set for strike as union announces preparations

Broadway Contract Talks Stall: Health Care at Center Stage for Union

Broadway Faces Potential Shutdown Amidst Peak Season

Broadway actors are on the brink of a strike that could halt 32 productions just as theater attendance hits its stride. Actors’ Equity, representing 900 Broadway performers and stage managers, is locked in negotiations with the Broadway League, the body representing theater owners, producers, and operators. Talks have stalled since the previous three-year contract expired on September 28.

Health Care Contributions: The Sticking Point

A primary focus of the negotiations is the Broadway League’s contribution to Actors’ Equity’s healthcare fund. Al Vincent Jr, the union’s executive director, emphasized the need for increased contributions to avoid a projected funding deficit by May. Despite long-standing contributions remaining stagnant, smaller theaters in areas like Kansas and Idaho often pay more, Vincent pointed out.

Brooke Shields, President of Actors’ Equity, stressed the importance of adequate healthcare contributions by recounting her own experience of sustaining a meniscus injury during a Broadway performance. She advocated that investment in performers’ health is vital for the industry’s long-term success.

Broadway League Responds

The Broadway League maintains its position of working towards an agreement. A statement from the League highlighted its commitment to preserving Broadway’s magic for global audiences, noting ongoing negotiations conducted in good faith with Actors’ Equity.

Unrest Across the Entertainment Industry

This Broadway dispute occurs amid broader labor challenges in the entertainment sector. Hollywood actors and writers have initiated strikes for better streaming-era compensation and regulation against artificial intelligence. Similarly, video game actors embarked on a nearly year-long strike over AI protections.

Union Prepared for Action

• Stage act.: Authorized the bargaining committee to initiate a strike.
• Strike pledge cards: Distributed to performers at the stage door to solidify commitment.

Personal Stories Highlight Healthcare Impact

Kaylin Seckel, a cast member of Disney’s “The Lion King,” recounted her experience of rupturing her Achilles tendon during a 2022 performance. She credited union-provided healthcare for covering significant medical interventions beyond basic workers’ compensation, underscoring her ongoing need for healthcare support.

The last major strike by Actors’ Equity in 1968 stopped 19 Broadway shows for three days, requiring intervention by the New York City mayor to resolve. As negotiations continue, Broadway’s future hangs in the balance with potential disruptions looming.