AEA May Strike National Tours April 13

Yikes. From the articles on Hollywood Reporter and here on Broadway World, it sounds like April 12 may be the deadline - at least it's the last currently scheduled negotiations day. But, it could happen any day - per the articles. Actors have been working on an expired contract since February 5. Our next tour show for which we have tickets is not until August, but yikes for others.

Hollywood Reporter

Broadway World Article

Actors' Equity "Unite the Road" page

Good for them. They deserve fair contracts. Sometimes this is the only way to stick it to the man and get what you deserve.

fashionguru_23 said: "In line with Stephanie J Block's video, I have a question about tour housing. I was under the impression that a show would offer to put performers up in hotels for the tour stop, and thestipend they gave for housing, etc you could bank if you chose to go to one of the hotels. Is this still the case?"

My understanding is that you can take the provided housing or the stipend, not both. Many actors choose to book something cheaper than the total of their stipend and pocket the rest, often rooming with other actors to save $$$.

Updated On: 4/4/23 at 09:00 AM

Lola Getz2 said: "Is there any chance this will spread to non-touring companies such as other Equity houses or even Broadway? Equity has always been very loyal and supportive of all its members."

There may be words of solidarity and displays of support from non-touring companies and other Equity members, but they won't strike, as this is specifically related to AEA contracts for touring companies. Nothing would be accomplished by anyone else striking.

Legally the only ones who could go on strike are those working on the specific contract. Kate Shindle's email to membership yesterday affirmed this, and also affirmed that attending another event at road houses, such as a concert, would also not be considered as harming fellow members should a strike occur.

I'm not super confident that whatever compromise the Broadway League puts forward will satisfy AEA members. These contracts have gotten to a place where its just pitiful. Inflation and cost of living has been far outpacing touring contracts for yeeeears. And the League just let it get to an extreme where instead of increasing pay and amenities with the times, now there is SO much daylight between what is on offer and what AEA actors need to survive.

Explore some social media posts about this. You'll find many tales of touring actors sleeping on couches or in filthy conditions. Or just not being able to afford the basics in life. Touring used to be the most coveted place in theater for many actors once upon a time, but those times are long gone. They must fix it and fast, or the touring industry will be even more gutted than it already has been.

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "A poignant message from Stephanie J. Block on the difficulties on touring.https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqks8oqj9ry/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link"

Atta girl, Steph!

I absolutely stand by AEA for this! These actors deserve fair contracts! Everything is so expensive right now, and these actors need to be able to afford the basic necessities they need while on the road. While it may be hard that we won't have touring productions running, this is MORE important. I hope the Broadway League comes to its senses and provide the fair pay these actors deserve!

They really do need to see this through and have the contract updated / renegotiated. Times have changed.


If actors on equity contracts are having issues on tour, imagine all the non-equity tours and actors.


Yeesh.

MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "I'm not super confident that whatever compromise the Broadway League puts forward will satisfy AEA members. These contracts have gotten to a place where its just pitiful. Inflation and cost of living has been far outpacing touring contracts for yeeeears. And the League just let it get to an extreme where instead of increasing pay and amenities with the times, now there is SO much daylight between what is on offer and what AEA actors need to survive.

Explore some social media posts about this. You'll find many tales of touring actors sleeping on couches or in filthy conditions. Or just not being able to afford the basics in life. Touring used to be the most coveted place in theater for many actors once upon a time, but those times are long gone. They must fix it and fast, or the touring industry will be even more gutted than it already has been."

That's not correct. The annual increases built into the last contract were greater than inflation up until inflation started to shoot up mid-2021.

Lola Getz2 said: "How would the ticket holders for cancelled shows be handled? Does anyone know? Refunds? I am sure it might be different for each location, but was curious as to how the venues would deal with a blow like this."

I would presume it will vary by market but like with the Covid delays/cancellations I would bet they will try to get us to keep a credit and hope for a re-scheduled date or that we would apply to a future season.

It will be just my luck that I got Into The Woods tickets for its San Francisco tour stop on the first presale day, something I rarely do, and it will get wiped out because management gets cheap on per diem. If canceled, I wouldn’t hold my breath on a return, at least with the current touring cast.

Touring productions are doing fine, at least in San Francisco. But they’ve got to treat the actors right.

Yes, non-Equity tours would most likely be unaffected, unless IATSE refuses to cross a picket line at the local venues in solidarity.