There is so much incredible activity happening at Local 802 right now, and it’s all being driven by our hard-working members.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

First, the Broadway negotiations are in full swing. Broadway musicians recently marched in solidarity in the CLC’s Labor Day Parade (see photo at top) and are making their demands known at the bargaining table. Lots of organizing is taking place and updates will be posted on our social media. What’s at stake is very simple to explain: Broadway is thriving more than ever in its history, and musicians deserve their fair share for helping make Broadway an economic success. At the same time, we insist that the League not take away any of our current hard-won contractual rights. We already had our first success: we fought back when the League proposed to take away our right to run of show. The League withdrew that proposal after we raised our voices, which shows you the power of what we can accomplish when we’re united. For more, including how you can help, please see our social media and keep an eye out for e-mail blasts.

I would also like to share a statement we recently made to the press: “Frankly, it’s suspicious that first the League reports that it had ‘the highest grossing season in Broadway recorded history,’ then literally a few months later when negotiating with its artists, it cries poverty and distress. The matter is extremely simple: actors, musicians, stagehands and all creative workers on Broadway deserve health care, fair raises and good benefits. Working on Broadway is strenuous and demanding. It’s simply no secret that the League wants to enjoy a record profit while imposing austerity on its artists and taking back hard-won gains. Artists have had enough of the doubletalk: we deserve a fair contract now.”

Secondly, the MET Orchestra negotiations seem to be on the home stretch. We were assisted by the AFM with these important talks and we’re hopeful an agreement can be announced soon. Separately, we are bargaining over the MET Title Callers. The Executive Board authorized a strike authorization vote for this unit. We are also negotiating with City Center, Perelman Arts Center (PAC), Jazz at Lincoln Center, and many other employers.

Across the country, on a hopeful note, AFM Local 47 (Los Angeles) recently announced that musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic have reached a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. The union said that the contract includes substantial increases in base wages, substitute pay, and New Music and Chamber Music pay, as well as improved vacation benefits.

Separately, AFM Local 6 (San Francisco) reached a tentative three-year agreement with the San Francisco Symphony that “provides a wage increase beginning September 1, 2025, with biannual increases rising by 15 percent over the contract; an increase to the defined benefit pension plan, making it the second-highest in the industry; exceptional health benefits and 10 weeks of paid vacation annually.”

It’s great to read about AFM contract victories around the country!

BUILDING UPDATE

In a possible Hail Mary, the International Executive Board has authorized AFM International President Tino Gagliardi to negotiate with Local 802 over the concept of the AFM purchasing the Local 802 building. This could turn into a hopeful situation for us. All we can do is stay tuned for the moment, but it’s nice to be able to report possibly good news on this front! For more, see Sara Cutler’s article in this issue.

NONUNION TOURS

I recently found out about some nonunion tours being contracted by one or more Broadway chairholders (and other members). This is extremely alarming to me. Our members should NEVER be contracting nonunion tours, which often exploits our younger members who may not know better or who may be desperate for gigs. Nonunion tours can easily turn into tours from hell, with bad pay, no benefits, unsafe conditions, bad travel arrangements, bad hotels, bad food…you get the idea. If you’re a contractor who has the power to arrange a tour, your first call should be to Local 802. Ask us, “How can you help me make this a union tour?” We can do it! And if you’re called to play a nonunion tour, please contact us confidentially using our hotline or #NotMe app. Get the info at www.local802afm.org/hotline (you can use that page to report any nonunion tour or gig). GIve us the chance to help you earn the wages and benefits you deserve.

POWER 100

I am pleased to report that I was recently chosen by City & State as one of the 100 most powerful leaders in New York’s labor community. City & State is the leading media company covering government and politics in New York, and the Labor Power list honors “New York’s most influential union chiefs and worker advocates.” I was profiled in the Aug. 25, 2025 issue of the magazine and was honored at a reception in early September along with the other Power 100 leaders. This recognition is not just about me: it’s a tribute to Local 802 as a whole and how our union is perceived as a strong force for musicians’ rights. For that, I’m pleased for our entire union.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Join us on Oct. 22 for the fall Local 802 membership meeting. This meeting is on Zoom only and includes three bylaw resolutions. Register now (click here).

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

I am pleased to introduce our new Chief of Staff, Rush Perez, who started working at Local 802 at the end of September. Rush previously worked as the Deputy Communications Director for 32BJ SEIU. He comes to Local 802 with years of experience in NYC and NYS politics. The son of an amateur harmonica player and jazz aficionado, Rush learned a deep appreciation of music from watching his father play gigs at local pool halls and bars in New Mexico. You can reach him at rperez@local802afm.org. Read his intro column here.