Striking Actors to Receive Benefits for Lost Work

By Robert Simonson
17 Mar 2003

Members of Actors' Equity who were financially affected by the four-day musicians' union strike earlier this month will receive compensatory benefits from their union.

Each actor who participated in the walkout, which Equity officially supported, will get $100 per missed performance or $100 for each day of missed rehearsal. Covering more than 650 union members, the outlay will amount to roughly $325,000.

Said Equity President Patrick Quinn in a statement, "This historic demonstration of unity by the Broadway unions has shown the industry our commitment to live theatre and the welfare of all those who create it."

Local 802 of the musicians union called a strike Friday, March 7, after weeks of talks with the League of American Theatres and Producers failed to produce an agreement. Producers' plans to keep their musicals going with mechanized orchestras were scuttled when Actors' Equity and Local One of the stagehands union refused to cross the picket line.

The strike ended when Mayor Mike Bloomberg corralled both sides in Gracie Mansion late March 10, where an all-night negotiation produced a new four-years deal.

Actors' Equity will negotiation its own new contract with the League next year.

Actors who need more information about the benefits should contact Equity at (212) 869-8530.