Actor's Equity Renegotiations

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 2:00am

Okay, we're about to go into hypothetical land... Are there any impending renegotiations that could cause a strike on Broadway in June 2008? I heard that the Actor's Equity would be renegotiating then, and I wondered if this was true.
I'm being very paranoid, but this will be my very first trip to New York City and I'd be so upset if some strike ruined it (and, yes, I'm aware there are other things to do in NYC besides seeing shows :).

[BrianS]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 2:24am

There will be no strike. 1) Any renegotiation would be a very different situation from the Local 1 issues where they were restructuring the contract. 2) We don't have the clout IATSE does. We are a relatively weak union dependent on the support of our sister unions. 3) No one would stomach another strike and whoever dealt the first blow would be crucified in the press.

Points 2 and 3 really don't matter though because of point 1.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 9:49am

I could not disagree more.

No one wants a strike, but if the League takes the same approach (trying to deconstruct the entire contract without giving anything in return), then actors could strike.

In Hollywood, for example, the crippling writers' strike is actually building momentum for a potential actors strike, not sapping it.

That said, negotiations are far from starting, so don't get too worried about your trip yet.

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 10:29am

Okay. Thanks for those opinions (granted I'm still pretty conflicted). Well, would the renegotiations be earlier in June or later?

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 10:31am

But, as of right now, there is no huge sticking point between the League and Equity. We knew well in advance of both the Stagehands' strike and the Writers' strike that there were massive issues coming into play. These conditions simply don't exist between the League and Equity. Unless the League has something up its sleeve...which I doubt.

ETA: One of the reasons a SAG strike is possible is because of the issue of residuals when it comes to disseminating shows online. Nothing like that exists here in the theatre world in NY, so, as of right now, the negotiations should be relatively painless.

Updated On: 1/3/08 at 10:31 AM

[BrianS]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 11:27am

Exactly.

Elphaba, the league had been making noise for years via the strike fund and other communications with IATSE of their plan for a major restructuring. That strike was unfortunate, but not unforeseen.

I don't know if you are an AEA member, but if you are, then you know that for the most part, there is almost no overtime for actors. It would be a very different argument for the league to ask for a pay cut and it would not go down well in the press. Can you imagine a bunch of chorus kids on NY1 showing that after taxes and agent fees, they are taking home about $900 a week (and that is the best actor contract in this business, the ceiling unless you are a lead)?

The question at that renegotiation will be how small of a raise to give, not how much of a cut to take.

edit: I typed VH1 instead of NY1. I had a late night.

Updated On: 1/3/08 at 11:27 AM

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 2:19pm

Good! Okay, then, I'm going to start hammering out the details and book my flight.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 2:47pm

While I agree with you for the most part Brian, I think you are vastly underestimating the Touring situation in regards to the upcoming production contract expiration. Remember that we were on the verge of work stoppage in '04 during the last round of negotiations with the league. (There was an 800 number for all actors to call before they reported for work)
With tours like the Wedding singer 1st national being non-union, and playing an "A" Market schedule at full price, I can't imagine touring not coming up and remaining a sticking point.
If you look at the Touring season from '04 and compare it to '07, and '08, the solutions that were negotiated back then haven't really changed the landscape at all.
Add all this to the already strained relationship (i.e. the strike of IATSE WGA, and the unhappy SAG/AFTRA members), and you have the recipe for a repeat of what we all just went through.
By all means, I wouldn't tell anyone to cancel their plans for summer '08. But I wouldn't be surprised if in six months we are hearing the rumblings of strike talk getting familiarly loud.

Updated On: 1/3/08 at 02:47 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 3:05pm

That work stoppage should have occurred in '04. But the tiered system has been put in place as a band aid on a severed limb. Cat ain't getting back in the bag and Equity doesn't really have a leg to stand on...especially if IATSE and 802 allow their members to work non-Eq tours.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 4:02pm

I agree that the cat is out of the bag.
I also have said numerous times that IATSE and AFM owe it to EQUITY to stand in solidarity on this issue. EQUITY has stood by both of those unions since the last negotiation.
If IATSE and AFM were to stand by EQUITY, the Road can be saved.
AND fyi before the flaming starts-I am talking about non-eq tours that play in major markets andcharge the same ticket prices as equity tours,but pay lower salaries and no health or pension. Not one nighters in small cities and college towns (although I would love to see more Union Jurisdiction there as well)

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 4:10pm

But...as was expressed during the strike, it's against IATSE's constitution to refuse to work non-eq shows. So they can't. Or won't. Or whatever.

We're never getting the road back as it once was. Not even close. And AFM and IATSE will never take the hard line that would be necessary. Never.