Broadway Musicians Ready to ‘Strike Immediately’

Photo Credit: Steve Pancrate

Broadway musicians say they are prepared to strike immediately if they do not reach an agreement with the Broadway League by Thursday morning.

Today (October 21), AFM Local 802, the union representing Broadway musicians, announced its intention to “strike immediately” if a new contract is not secured by Thursday morning. A potential strike would affect several ongoing Broadway shows.

“The Broadway musicians represented by Local 802 AFM are going into mediation on Wednesday, October 22. If we do not have a new contract by Thursday morning, we are prepared to strike immediately. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement,” reads the union’s statement, issued by Local 802 President Bob Suttmann.

Broadway musicians have been working without a contract since August 31, and have been lobbying for “stable” healthcare coverage, wage gains, and job security.

“On the heels of the most successful season in history, the Broadway League wants the working musicians and artists who fueled that very success to accept wage cuts, threats to healthcare benefits, and potential job losses,” said Suttmann in a previous statement.

Broadway shows that would be affected by a strike include productions like “Gatsby,” “Hamilton,” “Hells Kitchen,” “Wicked,” “& Juliet,” “Beetlejuice,” “Aladdin,” “Book of Mormon,” “Chicago,” “Lion King,” “Mamma Mia,” and many more.

Meanwhile, Actors’ Equity, the union representing Broadway actors, reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League on Saturday over a new contract. However, actors will likely stand in solidarity with the musicians if they decide to go on strike.

“Good-faith negotiations happen at the bargaining table, not in the press,” said the Broadway League in a statement on Tuesday. “We value our musicians, and we are committed to working in good faith to get a fair contract done.”

Local 802 represents thousands of highly skilled musicians who drive New York City’s thriving cultural and tourism economy. Its members perform on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and Radio City, in recording studios, as teaching artists, on late-night TV shows and other televised bands, and in clubs, festivals, and venues across New York City.