Stagehands, hair and makeup artists, and wardrobe personnel working on Broadway shows and tours are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike. The union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), says contract negotiations have stalled with the Broadway League and Disney Theatrical Productions.
Approximately 1,500 IATSE members working under the so-called “pink contract” will vote Wednesday and Thursday on strike authorization. If at least 75% vote yes, IATSE President Matthew D. Loeb could call a strike as early as Friday morning.
While strike authorization does not guarantee a walkout, it gives the union leverage at the bargaining table. IATSE members have joined Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA picket lines this summer as those unions struck over their contracts.
At issue in the pink contract talks are wage increases on Broadway, as well as establishing set rest periods for the touring crew members. Some progress has reportedly been made on healthcare and housing provisions.
The previous IATSE contract expired July 2 after being extended during ongoing negotiations that began in May. The two sides bargained for 19 consecutive hours earlier this week but remain far apart on key issues.
With SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild already on strike this summer, and Actors’ Equity recently avoiding a strike of their own, Broadway could be the next labor dispute to shutter productions across the country. Stay tuned as we follow this developing story.
