Actors' Equity Membership Votes to Approve New Production Contract

Members of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the union representing 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, have voted to ratify a new production contract with the Broadway League, the industry group representing producers and landlords. The contract governs employment in shows on Broadway, as well as in sit-down shows produced by members of the Broadway League across the United States. The new agreement will be in effect through September 28, 2025.

According to a press release from AEA, the new agreement will deliver minimum salary increases at 5%, 4%, and 4% in each year of the three-year agreement. It also offers better paid sick time benefits, two fewer 10/12s than was previously allowed, a decrease of weekly rehearsal hours allowed after opening, and an additional personal day off for everyone.

"We went into this negotiation with an ambitious package reflecting the priorities of actors and stage managers working this contract," said Kate Shindle, president of Actors' Equity Association. "While we certainly didn't achieve all of them, we did make progress: fewer 10/12s, fewer rehearsal hours after opening, significant EDI advances, paid sick leave for the entire Equity company, more stage manager preproduction, increases in some chorus increments and our highest overall salary gains in decades."

The negotiation was led by Equity executive director Al Vincent Jr., who commented, "This was not an easy negotiation, and over 21 bargaining sessions everyone on both sides of the table had to make difficult choices. I am proud of the work the Equity team did to achieve a contract that makes significant strides on a number of issues that have been on our agenda for decades."

AEA reached an agreement with the Broadway League on December 1. Voting on the measure ended yesterday, with 57% of voting members voting to approve the contract.