DStv Channel 403 Friday, 07 February 2025

After Hollywood strike, Broadway staves off industrial action

An averted Broadway strike would have closed 28 shows

NEW YORK - A tentative agreement was reached in New York to avert a strike that threatened to shut most Broadway shows, as Hollywood remains on hold over historic industrial action.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), which represents the 1,500 stagehands and other backstage workers involved in the dispute, had begun the process of voting on a walkout.

But the union reached an agreement with Disney Theatrical and industry trade group the Broadway League, which represents theatre owners and producers, the parties said in a joint statement.

The contract still needs to be ratified by IATSE's rank-and-file and will be put to members in the coming days, the statement added.

"The strike has been averted, though the contract must be approved by the membership," said union spokesman Jonas Loeb.

The deal was reached after IATSE authorised a vote on whether to strike, which was expected to take a couple of days.

US media reported that any action would have disrupted New York's famous theatre district, delivering a blow to the city's economy during the summer tourist season.

If approved, the walkout was expected to close 28 shows in the Big Apple and 17 performances that are currently touring the United States and Canada.

There are presently about 30 Broadway shows running, according to ticket websites.

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