A breakthrough has been reached in contract negotiations between a Broadway crew union and theater owners, just as the crew members were voting on whether to authorize a potential strike. This development was announced by the organizations involved on Thursday.
The new contract agreement specifically pertains to a subset of Broadway workers, referred to as the “pink contract” workers. This group includes approximately 1,500 stagehands, wardrobe personnel, makeup artists, and hairdressers. If a strike were to occur among these workers, who are involved in 45 theatrical shows, including touring productions, and 28 shows on Broadway, it could have had a significant impact on the industry, particularly if other unionized theater workers joined in solidarity.
The union, known as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the Broadway League, a trade association representing theater owners and producers, issued a joint statement to announce the tentative agreement. Disney Theatrical, which produces shows like “Aladdin” and “The Lion King,” is also part of the deal. This agreement covers crew members who possess a pink traveling card, which serves as proof of their ability to work across different jurisdictions under union regulations.
“The strike has been averted,” stated Jonas Loeb, a spokesperson for the union. However, he also emphasized that the contract still needs to be approved by the membership.
Loeb revealed that negotiations between the union and theater owners had been ongoing for approximately two months, with a particularly intensive 19-hour session taking place this week. One of the main sticking points in the negotiations was determining minimum payment rates for Broadway crew members.
This potential strike by theater workers would have contributed to the already turbulent labor climate in the American entertainment industry, as Hollywood writers and actors continue their own strikes.
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