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Efforts to prevent a potential Broadway shutdown are intensifying as a federal mediator arrives in New York City on Friday to address a strike threat by Broadway musicians. The American Federation of Musicians Local 802, representing 1,600 musicians, has been negotiating with the Broadway League for a new contract after the previous one expired on August 31. The union seeks increased wages, better healthcare contributions, and job security.
According to Playbill, 98 percent of union members voted to authorize a strike, empowering union leaders to call one if negotiations falter. President Bob Suttmann stated, "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."
The Broadway League, however, cites rising labor and production costs as challenges despite high ticket sales. The League expressed commitment to reaching a fair agreement, emphasizing that "good-faith negotiations happen at the bargaining table, not in the press" as reported by NBC New York.
Actors' Equity, representing actors and stage managers, has also authorized a strike, with similar demands. If both unions strike, most Broadway shows could go dark, except for a few under different contracts, such as 'Ragtime' at Lincoln Center.
The last Broadway strike, involving stagehands, occurred in 2007 and lasted 19 days. Negotiations continued this week, with the mediator's involvement aiming to avert a similar disruption.
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