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Friday, October 24, 2025
Broadway Strike Averted as Musicians, Broadway League Come to an Agreement
Playbill: A Broadway strike has now been officially averted. Musicians union AFM Local 802 has come to an agreement with the Broadway League on a tentative deal for a new work contract. The agreement will now be brought to union members for ratification.
10 comments:
JFleck
said...
Unfortunately a threat of strike and unionization does more to protect and help workers than trying to bargain any other way. Wages have been rising but unfortunately they have been at or below inflation while profits have increased drastically. The unions fight for workers and they win. Broadway is a business which tries to keep costs down and most businesses that are for profit will not respond to anything beyond their bottom line. Forcing prolonged negotiations into the depth of night even in the unsleeping city is an evil that businesses try to get away with until the latest they can to keep costs down. It is hard to think of a world where people are not trying to accumulate wealth and instead work for the people where everybody has basic rights that are given. People often yell and complain about freeloaders but the state of excess in our world concentrated in the ultra uber wealthy is disgusting.
I’m glad to hear that this issue was resolved. With all the financial problems that theaters across the US have been facing, such a large-scale strike would likely have had widespread impacts across the theatrical world. I of course support the actors and musicians 100% for fighting for the compensation that they deserve for bringing us these amazing shows. I know that these kinds of deals always take time but it was interesting to see how reluctant the Broadway League seemed to be to increase the compensation of actors and musicians. Broadway exists because of the talent and effort that everyone in the production puts into the show. I understand that the monetary concerns are difficult to balance for producers but with the ever increasing cost of living it’s important to ensure that people are meaningfully compensated for their work. I don’t know the full details of the new contract but I for one hope that it is found satisfactory and is ratified by the union members.
I find it insane that there’s no contingency plan that ensures the musicians are always under some benefits when their old contracts run out. The fact that they were working with no contract for months is insane. I wonder if their new contracts differ in any way to their old ones. I think that I should try and learn more about the Broadway League (specifically, why they seem so EVIL all the time.) Did some research and found the contract differences (better workplace protections/time off, annual salary increase). Also, do the musicians/actors have to negotiate/threaten strike every time their contract runs out (which, unavoidably, happens frequently), or was there something specific going on this year that made the negotiations less effective? If not, is Broadway just constantly on the brink of striking? There has to be a way of keeping contracts more consistent while simultaneously not trapping Broadway workers into unfair or outdated contracts.
I had initially learned about the possibility of a strike when I was in class and I had kept up with the whole situation a little bit since, then I saw a post from Playbill on instagram saying that there will be no strike because an agreement was made and I said that out loud and everyone around me genuinely said “thank god”. Wages in this country have not been able to keep up with the rise of inflation and even though this issue has been solved I fear things like this will just continue to happen unless we get our economy under control. I had heard about this strike not long ago and I am actually very surprised at the duration of this issue. It seems not long ago this was a problem that I had heard about and it was solved literally this week which is so surprising since it feels like no time at all.
I’m really glad a strike did not occur. Every part of the show is very important, especially the musicians. I find it crazy though that they haven’t been working under a contract since August 31, you would think that this would have been addressed before the previous contract expired. In any case, if a strike did occur, I wonder how badly some shows would be affected financially? I am glad that AFM Local 802 was able to come to an agreement with Broadway League. With inflation these days, most people can’t work with the same pay check they did a few years ago. I find it crazy that the Broadway League didn’t address that themselves knowing what’s going on with inflation. In any case, I am glad to see this issue resolved a lot faster than I thought it would. I had never heard of these kind of instances occurring so I didn’t really know what to expect.
I’ve been keeping an eye on this situation as it’s developed over the past few weeks, and this is quite a good outcome. I thought for a moment that the producers may allow a strike to briefly happen before reaching a deal, but I am so glad that did not happen. Though it would be quite deplorable for the producers to refuse to reach a deal with the musicians over their relatively basic demands, it wouldn’t really be shocking, which is a little bit concerning as I myself will be entering the industry in a few years. I’m not sure if the actor’s strike was resolved, as that’s not really clear within this article. Regardless, it seems that collective bargaining and threatening strike are the best bargaining chips workers have against their employers, and it is reassuring to see members of these unions using their rights and fighting for fair contracts.
This is such a relief to hear. I’m so glad that the Broadway League and Local 802 were able to come to an agreement before the strike had to happen. This is such a great reminder of how powerful unions can be when their members stand together. The fact that the musicians were able to wager a strike to get the working conditions that they have earned, shows how essential they are to Broadway's success. A strike would have pretty much shut down every musical on Broadway. This would have a massive effect throughout New York City, especially among the things you don't typically think about. This would affect performers, musicians, also for box office workers, ushers, stagehands, and even nearby restaurants and hotels. Broadway is an integral part of New York City’s economy and identity, and it is so great to see that this was able to be resolved without a strike!
I am very glad that an agreement was reached that prevented a strike and prevented every Broadway show (besides Ragtime) from being stalled. If this strike had happened, I can only imagine how much money Broadway would have lost. I am a huge supporter of striking when necessary and standing up for an equitable working environment. I also am a major supporter of the arts and am very scared of the future of the arts, and how the government is censoring art and media, and how they are controlling who and what stories are being told. In these dangerous and uncertain times, I have hoped and still hold out hope that as artists, as performers, and as humans, we could come together to uplift and stand with each other instead of fighting each other. Both sides presumably care deeply for their work, and I am glad they came together in the end.
I think I speak for everyone in this industry by exhaling a collective sigh of relief. Unionization and workers rights are issues that are absolutely necessary to address and treat with respect towards the parties involved, specifically in providing support to the workers’ cause in this case. It’s not at all surprising that these threats were made to begin with. The fact that the “highest stage” in the United States (or what some consider even globally) isn’t securing healthcare and the fiscal interests of their performers and staff is incredibly disheartening to reckon with. While this article discusses how negotiations have been made, I have a feeling that the issue (in the long-term scheme) will go unresolved. That being said, it is good that the strike isn’t actually happening right now, as strikes pose a burden to all parties involved, especially the workers on strike themselves. Wishing the best for the future of Broadway though!
I have so many mixed feelings on the Broadway strike. On one hand, I fully support workers standing up for their rights and needs in the workplace, and if they aren’t getting what they need then a strike might be the only option for them. I think it would be so interesting to get to actually talk to the musicians who are planning on going on strike because I want to hear the full story of everything happening behind the scenes that news articles and stuff don’t always cover. This strike could make history if the problems dont get fixed, I think it would be interesting how much a strike would really do for the workers though, hopefully if it did end up happening, it helps everyone get what they need. However its scary to think about basically all of Broadway shutting down, New York would feel so dead with all the musicals not running. Either way it will make history.
10 comments:
Unfortunately a threat of strike and unionization does more to protect and help workers than trying to bargain any other way. Wages have been rising but unfortunately they have been at or below inflation while profits have increased drastically. The unions fight for workers and they win. Broadway is a business which tries to keep costs down and most businesses that are for profit will not respond to anything beyond their bottom line. Forcing prolonged negotiations into the depth of night even in the unsleeping city is an evil that businesses try to get away with until the latest they can to keep costs down. It is hard to think of a world where people are not trying to accumulate wealth and instead work for the people where everybody has basic rights that are given. People often yell and complain about freeloaders but the state of excess in our world concentrated in the ultra uber wealthy is disgusting.
I’m glad to hear that this issue was resolved. With all the financial problems that theaters across the US have been facing, such a large-scale strike would likely have had widespread impacts across the theatrical world. I of course support the actors and musicians 100% for fighting for the compensation that they deserve for bringing us these amazing shows. I know that these kinds of deals always take time but it was interesting to see how reluctant the Broadway League seemed to be to increase the compensation of actors and musicians. Broadway exists because of the talent and effort that everyone in the production puts into the show. I understand that the monetary concerns are difficult to balance for producers but with the ever increasing cost of living it’s important to ensure that people are meaningfully compensated for their work. I don’t know the full details of the new contract but I for one hope that it is found satisfactory and is ratified by the union members.
I find it insane that there’s no contingency plan that ensures the musicians are always under some benefits when their old contracts run out. The fact that they were working with no contract for months is insane. I wonder if their new contracts differ in any way to their old ones. I think that I should try and learn more about the Broadway League (specifically, why they seem so EVIL all the time.)
Did some research and found the contract differences (better workplace protections/time off, annual salary increase). Also, do the musicians/actors have to negotiate/threaten strike every time their contract runs out (which, unavoidably, happens frequently), or was there something specific going on this year that made the negotiations less effective? If not, is Broadway just constantly on the brink of striking? There has to be a way of keeping contracts more consistent while simultaneously not trapping Broadway workers into unfair or outdated contracts.
I had initially learned about the possibility of a strike when I was in class and I had kept up with the whole situation a little bit since, then I saw a post from Playbill on instagram saying that there will be no strike because an agreement was made and I said that out loud and everyone around me genuinely said “thank god”. Wages in this country have not been able to keep up with the rise of inflation and even though this issue has been solved I fear things like this will just continue to happen unless we get our economy under control. I had heard about this strike not long ago and I am actually very surprised at the duration of this issue. It seems not long ago this was a problem that I had heard about and it was solved literally this week which is so surprising since it feels like no time at all.
I’m really glad a strike did not occur. Every part of the show is very important, especially the musicians. I find it crazy though that they haven’t been working under a contract since August 31, you would think that this would have been addressed before the previous contract expired. In any case, if a strike did occur, I wonder how badly some shows would be affected financially? I am glad that AFM Local 802 was able to come to an agreement with Broadway League. With inflation these days, most people can’t work with the same pay check they did a few years ago. I find it crazy that the Broadway League didn’t address that themselves knowing what’s going on with inflation. In any case, I am glad to see this issue resolved a lot faster than I thought it would. I had never heard of these kind of instances occurring so I didn’t really know what to expect.
I’ve been keeping an eye on this situation as it’s developed over the past few weeks, and this is quite a good outcome. I thought for a moment that the producers may allow a strike to briefly happen before reaching a deal, but I am so glad that did not happen. Though it would be quite deplorable for the producers to refuse to reach a deal with the musicians over their relatively basic demands, it wouldn’t really be shocking, which is a little bit concerning as I myself will be entering the industry in a few years. I’m not sure if the actor’s strike was resolved, as that’s not really clear within this article. Regardless, it seems that collective bargaining and threatening strike are the best bargaining chips workers have against their employers, and it is reassuring to see members of these unions using their rights and fighting for fair contracts.
This is such a relief to hear. I’m so glad that the Broadway League and Local 802 were able to come to an agreement before the strike had to happen. This is such a great reminder of how powerful unions can be when their members stand together. The fact that the musicians were able to wager a strike to get the working conditions that they have earned, shows how essential they are to Broadway's success. A strike would have pretty much shut down every musical on Broadway. This would have a massive effect throughout New York City, especially among the things you don't typically think about. This would affect performers, musicians, also for box office workers, ushers, stagehands, and even nearby restaurants and hotels. Broadway is an integral part of New York City’s economy and identity, and it is so great to see that this was able to be resolved without a strike!
I am very glad that an agreement was reached that prevented a strike and prevented every Broadway show (besides Ragtime) from being stalled. If this strike had happened, I can only imagine how much money Broadway would have lost. I am a huge supporter of striking when necessary and standing up for an equitable working environment. I also am a major supporter of the arts and am very scared of the future of the arts, and how the government is censoring art and media, and how they are controlling who and what stories are being told. In these dangerous and uncertain times, I have hoped and still hold out hope that as artists, as performers, and as humans, we could come together to uplift and stand with each other instead of fighting each other. Both sides presumably care deeply for their work, and I am glad they came together in the end.
I think I speak for everyone in this industry by exhaling a collective sigh of relief. Unionization and workers rights are issues that are absolutely necessary to address and treat with respect towards the parties involved, specifically in providing support to the workers’ cause in this case. It’s not at all surprising that these threats were made to begin with. The fact that the “highest stage” in the United States (or what some consider even globally) isn’t securing healthcare and the fiscal interests of their performers and staff is incredibly disheartening to reckon with. While this article discusses how negotiations have been made, I have a feeling that the issue (in the long-term scheme) will go unresolved. That being said, it is good that the strike isn’t actually happening right now, as strikes pose a burden to all parties involved, especially the workers on strike themselves. Wishing the best for the future of Broadway though!
I have so many mixed feelings on the Broadway strike. On one hand, I fully support workers standing up for their rights and needs in the workplace, and if they aren’t getting what they need then a strike might be the only option for them. I think it would be so interesting to get to actually talk to the musicians who are planning on going on strike because I want to hear the full story of everything happening behind the scenes that news articles and stuff don’t always cover. This strike could make history if the problems dont get fixed, I think it would be interesting how much a strike would really do for the workers though, hopefully if it did end up happening, it helps everyone get what they need. However its scary to think about basically all of Broadway shutting down, New York would feel so dead with all the musicals not running. Either way it will make history.
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