BROADWAY BARGAINING UPDATES

 

OCTOBER 23, 2025

BROADWAY MUSICIANS ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

AFM Local 802 has reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League and Disney Theater Productions. The tentative deal includes wage increases and contribution increases to the health fund. After announcing the tentative agreement, AFM Local 802 President Bob Suttmann issued the following statement: 

“United in solidarity, Local 802 Broadway musicians are thrilled to announce that we reached a tentative agreement at 4:30 am with the Broadway League that will avert a strike scheduled to begin later today. This three-year agreement provides meaningful wage and health benefit increases that will preserve crucial access to healthcare for our musicians while maintaining the strong contract protections that empower musicians to build a steady career on Broadway.”

Now, Local 802 will bring the tentative agreement to the members for ratification. Musicians have been working without a contract on Broadway since Aug. 31, 2025. 

OCTOBER 21, 2025

BROADWAY MUSICIANS ANNOUNCE INTENT TO “STRIKE IMMEDIATELY” IF NO CONTRACT BY THURSDAY MORNING, OCT. 23

Local 802 released the following statement from Local 802 President Bob Suttmann:

 “The Broadway musicians represented by Local 802 AFM are going into mediation on Wednesday, Oct. 22. If we do not have a new contract by Thursday morning, we are prepared to strike immediately. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement.”

Broadway musicians have been working without a contract since Aug. 31, 2025. 

A potential strike would affect the following Broadway shows. (Theatre names in parentheses).

  • & Juliet (Sondheim)
  • Aladdin (New Amsterdam)
  • Beetlejuice (Palace)
  • Book of Mormon (O’Neil)
  • Buena Vista (Schoenfeld)
  • Chess (Imperial)
  • Chicago (Ambassador)
  • Death Becomes Her (Lunt Fontanne)
  • Gatsby (Broadway)
  • Hadestown (Kerr)
  • Hamilton (Rogers)
  • Hells Kitchen (Shubert)
  • Just in Time (Circle in the Square)
  • Lion King (Minskoff)
  • Mamma Mia (Wintergarden)
  • Maybe Happy Ending (Belasco)
  • Mincemeat (Golden)
  • MJ (Neil Simon)
  • Moulin Rouge (Hirshfeld)
  • Outsiders (Jacob’s)
  • Queen of Versailles (St. James)
  • Six (Atkinson)
  • Wicked (Gershwin)

OCTOBER 18, 2025

We are thankful that our siblings in labor at Actors’ Equity Association have reached an agreement with the Broadway League and Disney. Local 802 is still in negotiations for a fair contract and everything remains on the table, including a strike.

We look forward to returning to the table to reach a deal that will allow us to avoid a strike. Until that happens, we will continue our strike preparations in earnest, and we thank Actors’ Equity for their continued support and solidarity.

Keep an eye out for notices about strike prep later this weekend.

In solidarity,

The Broadway Negotiating Committee
AFM Local 802
American Federation of Musicians

OCTOBER 17, 2025

As you know, your Broadway Negotiating Committee, our siblings at Actors’ Equity, and the Broadway League have been in negotiations since August. In that time, the league has failed to meet our demands and continues to put unacceptable offers on the table for both unions.

Your Negotiating Committee is working diligently to keep you updated and informed about our progress. While it is unlikely that there will be a strike without you knowing the details in advance, we do not control access to the theaters, and in the event of a strike, you may not be able to get to your personal effects.

Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that you remove any personal items at your theater when you leave starting next week.

We will continue to keep you informed as we receive more information.

In Solidarity,

Local 802 & Your Broadway Theatre Committee

P. S. Please be sure to attend the 802 membership meeting on Wednesday, October 22nd at 5pm for important updates regarding our Broadway contract campaign. Advance registration is required.  RSVP at https://www.local802afm.org/october-22

OCTOBER 16, 2025

Bargaining Update

We met with the League on Tuesday 10/14 and small working groups met on Wednesday 10/15. Below are some highlights:

  • The League withdrew proposals regarding the transfer of shows which could have had an effect on minimums
  • The League showed no movement on health contributions or wages
  • We continued discussions on ways to improve audience awareness of live musicians
  • The AFM presented a counterproposal to the League regarding media capture and usage

Organizing Update

On 10/15 we joined members of Actors’ Equity to let the public know what we’re fighting for by handing out leaflets in Times Square. Check out photos HERE. There may be more opportunities for leafleting soon so keep an eye on your inbox for details!

Membership Meeting (Oct. 22 @ 5pm)

We encourage ALL BROADWAY MUSICIANS to attend the Local 802 membership meeting (on Zoom) next Wednesday. We will likely have critical contract campaign updates to share at the meeting and we need a strong turnout. To attend, you must be a member in good standing (have your dues paid) and REGISTER HERE.

Spread The Word

Continue sharing our public petition (13,000 signatures and counting!) and be sure to follow both @musicians_of_ny and @broadwaymusicians on social media.

In Solidarity,

Local 802 and the Broadway Theatre Committee

OCTOBER 13, 2025

Broadway musicians of AFM Local 802 have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if needed, as the Broadway League continues to demand unacceptable wages and reduced jobs and benefits in the current contract talks. The union’s strike authorization vote closed on the evening of Oct. 12, and results were tallied soon after. The vote count was 98% in favor of strike authorization if necessary.

Local 802 President Bob Suttmann said, “On the heels of the most successful season in history, the Broadway League wants the working musicians and artists who fueled that very success to accept wage cuts, threats to healthcare benefits, and potential job losses. Faced with such an egregious erosion of their working conditions, Local 802 Broadway musicians and other artists are ready to leverage every ounce of their collective power, up to and including a strike. Committing to anything less would mean sacrificing far too many hard-won gains.”

Musicians have been working without a contract on Broadway since Aug. 31, 2025. The musicians’ demands were spelled out clearly in an October 1 open letter to the Broadway League signed by almost all of the 1,200 musicians who play on Broadway. They include:

  • Fair wages that reflect Broadway’s success.
  • Stable health coverage to allow musicians and their families to enjoy the health benefits that all workers deserve
  • Employment and income security so that hardworking freelance musicians have some assurance of job security. This includes not eliminating current jobs on Broadway.

Musicians continue to negotiate with the Broadway League and have bargaining talks scheduled in the next few days.

OCTOBER 1, 2025

At today’s negotiation session, the League’s proposals were partial and represented an overall wage decrease. The League also continues to demand work rules that are demeaning and penalizing for musicians. To fight back, musicians showed their unity by presenting a petition* signed by almost 1,000 Broadway musicians (nearly the entire Broadway unit). In their petition, musicians pledged to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract. Stay informed on Local 802’s social media and get ready to stand up for Broadway musicians. It’s showtime!

*TO THE BROADWAY LEAGUE

We, the Broadway musicians of AFM Local 802, are united in support of our Broadway Negotiation Committee to win a fair contract that contains:

Fair Wages that Reflect Broadway’s Success. The League is thriving and we need fair wage increases that allow us to share in our industry’s historic financial success.

Stable Health coverage. We need the League to pay their fair share of the ever increasing costs of health care for our bargaining unit. Their current position would result in many members losing coverage or the elimination of funding for family coverage.

No Change to Attendance Requirement. This is important to chair holders and subs alike and is integral to employment security for hundreds of musicians. It allows us to maintain our bodies, which can be plagued with repetitive stress, and allows us to maintain a presence in the marketplace for when the show closes. This service is free of charge to the League.

Employment and Income Security. Music preparation compensation and equitable compensation for additional labor and technology management through premiums are important standards that musicians rely upon for economic security even after shows close. Our minimums also provide for the baseline standard for maintaining a live Broadway experience. The League is trying to weaken or eliminate these protections.

Preserving In-House Contractors. Workplace safety and efficiency are dependent upon this vital role, yet the League is proposing to take away this critical job and place the responsibilities entirely with management, without any real plan to keep us safe.

Further, we are willing to do whatever it takes to win these important standards.

We are fighting for a healthy Broadway!

{signed by almost 1,000 Broadway musicians}