NEW YORK – In a significant development for Broadway, the union representing a vast array of performers has successfully negotiated a new labor agreement with commercial producers, marking a pivotal step forward. This leaves the musicians’ union as the final group still engaged in negotiations.

The Actors’ Equity Association, which advocates for over 51,000 individuals including singers, actors, dancers, and stage managers, has announced the establishment of a new three-year contract. This agreement encompasses crucial areas such as health care, scheduling, and physical therapy. The next step in the process is for the union members to ratify this tentative agreement.

Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We’re pleased to have reached a tentative agreement on terms both parties are comfortable with.” He emphasized the dedication to negotiating earnestly and acknowledged the mediators’ significant role in facilitating the agreement.

While this agreement marks progress, the League continues to negotiate with the American Federation of Musicians Local 802, which represents roughly 1,200 musicians. The musicians’ union has already taken the step of authorizing a strike as they strive for a favorable deal.

Both the performers and musicians have been operating under expired contracts for some time, with the musicians’ contract lapsing on August 31, followed by the expiration of the Equity contract on September 28.

The tentative breakthrough between the producers and Actors’ Equity Association came as a relief since a strike could have crippled Broadway just as it seems to have recovered from the pandemic shutdown.

Now the focus is on the musicians. Al Vincent Jr., Actors’ Equity’s executive director and lead negotiator, said in a statement that “we are putting our full support behind AFM Local 802 as they work with the League to reach a deal that averts a strike.”

In a statement, the Musicians’ union said, “We look forward to returning to the table to reach a deal that will allow us to avoid a strike. Until that happens, we will continue our strike preparations in earnest, and we thank Actors’ Equity for their continued support and solidarity.

The most recent major strike on Broadway was in late 2007, when a 19-day walkout dimmed the lights on more than two dozen shows and cost producers and the city millions of dollars in lost revenue.