Playbill: Broadway musicians union Local 802 AFM has set a deadline for a strike if an agreement for a new standard contract is not reached with the Broadway League. The union has given the League until the morning of October 23 before they say an "immediate" strike will be called. The move comes as both parties are scheduled to enter into mediation October 22.
2 comments:
It is really sad that it has come to this. The fact that the Broadway League isn't willing to protect its musicians is wild. Broadway would not happen without the music, and musicians are necessary for that to happen. The idea of Broadway closing is sad, but it is even worse when you know the cause is unfair treatment of musicians, along with actors and stage managers. The needs that they are asking for are extremely reasonable due to the changing society that we are living. The increase in wages is a completely fair idea due to the state of the economy and due to the fact that living in New York has gotten more expensive over the years. The idea of better healthcare is also a very valid request. Without healthy musicians, there isn't any. Increased health care for these workers should definitely be met. I hope that the musicians and the Broadway League can reach an agreement that benefits these artists and keeps Broadway open.
It's so disappointing that most artists and musicians just won't get income or employment security in this industry. It's great that unions can do their best to help and it's really awesome that they are striking and negotiating. But in the gig based economy that the performance industry is, I feel like it's just not gonna happen a lot of the time for most jobs which is honestly really awful considering how other countries actually pay artists and value them for the importance that they hold. Which is why Broadway being one the most famous and well renowned live performance spaces should be able to make it work. Even though we are all aware that Broadway is losing ticket sales and hasn't been making much profit on shows with such huge budgets, it's not like they don't have the money to give their musicians the benefits that they deserve to survive.
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