Actors' Equity Reaches Tentative Deal With Broadway League, But Strike Still Looms

After marathon negotiations that stretched into the early hours, Actors' Equity Association, the union representing more than 51,000 stage actors and managers, announced it has reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League on a new Production Contract. This three-year deal, if ratified, would safeguard the Equity-League Health Fund and introduce significant improvements in working conditions and health care access, according to union leadership . However, the agreement must still be approved by Equity’s membership—and the specter of a strike remains should members reject the deal or ongoing negotiations with other unions falter .

The Production Contract, first established in 1919, governs terms for actors and stage managers on Broadway, as well as national and international tours and major sit-down productions . The current agreement was set to expire on September 28, 2025, putting pressure on both sides to reach a new deal and avoid a work stoppage that would disrupt one of the world’s leading live theater hubs.

Negotiations were particularly tense this year, as union members sought improved health care benefits, better scheduling protections, and enhanced physical therapy access—issues heightened by the ongoing demands and financial uncertainties in the live performance industry post-pandemic .

Al Vincent, Jr., Executive Director and lead negotiator for Actors' Equity, emphasized the significance of the new agreement: “This three-year agreement saves the Equity-League Health Fund while also making strides in our other priorities including scheduling and physical therapy access. Now we will bring the deal to our members for ratification, and in the meantime, we are putting our full support behind AFM Local 802 as they work with the League to reach a deal that averts a strike.”

While the tentative agreement represents progress, Actors' Equity members must vote to ratify the deal before it takes effect. If the membership votes it down, a strike could still occur, potentially shutting down Broadway’s lucrative fall and holiday seasons .

Simultaneously, the musicians’ union, American Federation of Musicians Local 802, remains in negotiations with the Broadway League. Their contract also expired recently, and they have not yet reached an agreement, raising further uncertainty about the stability of Broadway’s workforce .

Broadway has long been recognized as a vital cultural space for LGBTQ+ artists, audiences, and stories. Union negotiations like this one have direct implications for the health, safety, and economic security of LGBTQ+ actors and stage managers, many of whom rely on union contracts for equitable treatment and access to benefits .

Actors' Equity Association has a historical commitment to inclusion, advocating for diverse casting, inclusive workplaces, and non-discrimination clauses that explicitly address sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. The stability and improvements secured by this contract could reinforce those protections, ensuring that LGBTQ+ professionals—whether cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary—can continue to thrive on and off stage .

Furthermore, as Broadway productions frequently address LGBTQ+ themes and histories, the outcome of these negotiations may influence which stories are told on stage and who gets to tell them, thereby shaping the cultural conversation around LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

The tentative deal, if ratified, would likely set a precedent for other theater contracts nationwide, given the central role of Broadway in the U.S. performing arts industry . The Production Contract covers not just Broadway but also national tours and major regional productions, meaning that provisions won here could impact working conditions for actors and stage managers in cities across the country.

As the contract heads to a membership vote, Equity leaders have called for unity and solidarity, particularly as the musicians’ union continues its own bargaining process. The unions have historically supported each other in labor disputes, with the potential for coordinated action if necessary .

The coming weeks will be critical, as union members review the terms of the agreement and decide whether it meets their needs. The ratification process itself is expected to include robust internal debate, reflecting the diversity of experiences and priorities among Broadway’s performers, including LGBTQ+ members whose voices have shaped recent advocacy for inclusion and workplace safety .

If ratified, the new Production Contract could provide a blueprint for labor negotiations across the performing arts, emphasizing the importance of health care, scheduling fairness, and protections for marginalized communities. If rejected, the likelihood of a strike—and a major disruption to New York’s theater industry—remains high.

For now, Broadway remains open, but its future hangs on a pivotal vote and the ongoing fight for fair contracts for all who make the magic of live theater possible.