The union has been working without a contract since July 31, and negotiations between the two camps over the terms of a new contract stalled October 9. Each side has presented a so-called "final offer" which has been rejected by the other.

The union is currently operating under new work order rules that the league imposed last week. It has also unanimously authorized its leaders to call a strike if necessary, which would darken most Broadway theaters. However, the union has said it would not call a strike without first warning the public, and has stated it will continue to work until December without a contract.

For their part, the League, which has represented the Shubert and Jujamcyn Organizations in these negotiations, has offered a 16 percent wage increase over five years to union employees, while insisting that the union make concessions over the number of employees -- including carpenters and electricians -- that need to be hired during a show's load-in process. The union is standing firm that job cuts are not negotiable.

In the event of a strike, not all of Broadway's 39 theaters would be affected. The New Amsterdam, The Hilton, the Helen Hayes, Circle in the Square -- none of which are owned by either the Shubert or Jujamcyn Organizations -- and theaters owned by the Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Lincoln Center Theatre are among the houses not covered by the union's contract. In addition, the union has a separate contract with the Nederlander Organization, which runs nine Broadway houses.