Global Courant 2023-04-29 23:11:49
Members of Actors’ Equity have voted to approve the new touring agreement with the Broadway League.
The union, which represents more than 51,000 stage managers and actors, had been negotiating with the League over the new touring contract since mid-January. On April 3, Actors’ Equity announced a strike threat against the Broadway League, which represents industry producers, presenters and general managers. The union announced that it had reached a tentative agreement on April 13.
The new contract will be in effect through Sept. 7, 2026.
This agreement replaces the previous touring production contracts, which cover bigger-budget shows, as well as short-engagement touring agreements, which cover shows with lower weekly sales guarantees.
In the touring negotiations, actors and stage managers were concerned about increasing per diem rates to cover the rising cost of food and housing on the road, increasing wages and getting greater coverage for actors and stage managers on tour, whenever a member is sick, injured or otherwise unable to go on.
“Creating a new, unified touring agreement has been a long-term goal, and it was a massive undertaking,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association. “Thousands of collective hours — from the negotiating team, from Equity staff, from committees, from our members who mobilized to an historic degree — went into pouring this foundation that we can now build upon. We made some major gains: more competitive salaries, producer-paid housing options across the entire touring landscape, meaningful increases in per diem and some new models for coverage, so that the show can go on without the need for actors and stage managers to work when we’re sick or injured. The new contract contains advances in equity, diversity and inclusion, paid sick leave for everyone in the Equity company and safeguards for those who need reproductive and gender-affirming care. Touring is hard, and living on the road full time presents unique challenges. We will continue to focus on improving the quality of life for the actors and stage managers who commit to bringing world-class theater to communities across the country. I am grateful for the sustained, passionate and creative work of everyone who contributed to this negotiation.”
“The Broadway League is pleased that we have reached an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association covering all our touring productions and allowing our members to continue to provide the Broadway experience in theaters across the county,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League. “This new agreement provides much needed flexibility and cost-savings in key areas for our touring producers while addressing the core concerns of the union.”
