Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
Actors’ Equity has voted to ratify its contract with the Broadway League. The vote comes after the union for actors and stage managers reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League over a new contract Oct. 18, after threatening to strike if a deal could not be reached. After weeks of negotiations, Equity had voted to authorize a strike if necessary and had members sign strike pledge cards. A mediator ultimately stepped in and the tentative agreement was reached after an all-night session. The musician’s union, Local 802 AFM, also reached a tentative agreement with the League Oct. 23, after threatening to go on strike the next day if a deal could not be reached. Members are still voting on whether to ratify that agreement. The new Equity agreement, which remains in effect through September 2028, provides a 3 percent pay raise annually on the minimum salary for performers on Broadway, according to information shared with Equity members. Critically, the contract also saw increased contributions from the Broadway League, which general managers and producers, to the health fund for Equity members. This had been a sticking point for Equity in negotiations and leadership had warned the fund would fall into a deficit in May 2026 without the increase. The employer contribution rate, which is currently $150, will increase $25 a year for the next three years. “This was a lengthy negotiation, and a thorough one that resulted in progress across all of Equity’s priority areas: safe staffing, humane scheduling, sustainable working conditions and stabilizing the Equity-League Health Fund,” said Al Vincent, Jr., Executive Director of Actors’ Equity Association. “We are proud of the deal we achieved together, and we know it will make the lives of actors and stage managers better over the next three years. With the new Production Contract ratified, Equity and the League can now continue working together to bring audiences the best Broadway season yet!”
