Broadway Musicians Reach Tentative Agreement, Avoid Strike

Thu Oct 23 2025 19:51:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The American Federation of Musicians Local 802 reached a tentative agreement with Broadway producers, averting a strike that could have halted performances of numerous shows.

The American Federation of Musicians Local 802, representing 1,200 musicians on Broadway, has successfully negotiated a tentative labor agreement with commercial producers, ensuring wage increases and better healthcare benefits. This agreement comes after a period of heightened tension, with both musicians and actors working under expired contracts. The deal prevents a strike that could have affected 23 Broadway shows, including major productions like 'Hamilton' and 'The Lion King.' This agreement signals a recovery in Broadway’s economic health following the pandemic disruptions.

NEW YORK (AP) — The American Federation of Musicians Local 802 has reached a tentative labor agreement with Broadway producers, averting a potential strike that would have silenced numerous musicals.

Representing around 1,200 musicians, the union had threatened to strike without a new contract by the morning, following ongoing mediations. The agreement, announced early Thursday, includes significant wage increases and enhancements to health fund contributions.

Bob Suttmann, President of AFM Local 802, expressed that the three-year agreement ensures musicians have improved access to healthcare while maintaining essential contract protections for building sustainable careers on Broadway.

The deal is particularly noteworthy as it affects 23 shows, ranging from blockbuster hits such as “Hamilton” and “The Lion King” to newer productions still in previews, like “Queen of Versailles” and “Chess.” However, plays would not have been impacted immediately.

Notably, this agreement marks the second significant labor deal struck on Broadway in less than a week. The Actors’ Equity Association, representing over 51,000 actors, singers, dancers, and stage managers, announced its own three-year agreement with producers the previous weekend.

With both unions operating on expired contracts—the musicians’ agreement ended on August 31, and the equity contract lapsed on September 28—there was widespread concern about Broadway's ability to recover from past downturns.

Despite the potential unrest, Broadway's health appears robust; the 2024-2025 season recently recorded $1.9 billion in ticket sales, setting a new record and surpassing the pre-pandemic high of $1.8 billion set in 2018-2019.

While unions pointed to Broadway's financial recovery as justification for increasing musicians' wages and benefits, producers under The Broadway League warned that meeting demands could risk ticket price hikes that might jeopardize the industry's financial stability.

The last major strike on Broadway occurred in 2007, leading to a costly 19-day work stoppage. Recently, U.S. senators from New York and New Jersey have urged both parties to negotiate in good faith, highlighting the economic importance of Broadway as a support for approximately 100,000 jobs.