Broadway Stagehands Approve Contract

It's official! Local One, the Broadway stagehands union, has ratified its contract with the League of American Theatres and Producers. Though the details of the contract, which was tentatively agreed upon between the two parties after a three-week Broadway strike and extensive negotiations, are unknown, it will be in effect for five years.

Broadway Stagehands Union Contract Update

The latest news in the ongoing contract dispute between the Broadway stagehands union Local One and the League of American Theatres and Producers is that the two parties will return to the negotiating table on November 7. Talks between the Broadway stagehands and producers ceased on October 9, and since that time, Local One voted to authorize a strike (if necessary) and the producers began implementing portions of their proposed contract, even though the union obviously hasn't accepted the offer. Local One leadership instructed its members to go ahead and abide by the new provisions until a new contract has been officially agreed upon.

At this stage, it's hard to say whether or not there will be a strike. The League's imposition of the new rules was an aggressive move that seemed designed to provoke, but Local One has never gone on strike before and likely doesn't want to start now. The head of IATSE, Local One's parent union, will be present at the new negotiations, which isn't necessarily a good sign, though -- an IATSE representative must be present at one round of talks before Local One is permitted to strike.