IATSE Holds Strike Authorization Vote for Theater Workers on the Pink Contract (Exclusive)

Caitlin Huston
·3 min read
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IATSE is conducting a strike authorization vote after the theatrical crew union says talks with the Broadway League and Disney Theatrical Productions have stalled.

The contract negotiations, and the strike authorization vote, concern stagehands, hair and makeup artists, and wardrobe personnel working on a so-called “pink contract.” About 1,500 workers are directly covered by the agreement, and they work across 45 theatrical shows, with 28 productions on Broadway and 17 on tour.

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Voting is open on Wednesday and Thursday only. If the members vote to authorize a strike and a contract agreement is not reached, IATSE says workers under the pink contract could strike as soon as Friday morning.

The pink contract personnel are employed directly by the production and often work on the show from out-of-town tryouts in other cities and then on Broadway, or follow a show on its tour. They work alongside local union stagehands who are employed by theater owners and covered under IATSE Local One in New York.

The union needs to reach a threshold of at least 75 percent “yes” votes to move forward with strike authorization. However, reaching that threshold does not necessarily mean a strike will be called, but rather that the IATSE president can call a strike if needed. Having a strong showing of membership support for a strike is often a key negotiating tactic for unions.

“We need to show strength and unity to ensure we win the wages, benefits and rights that all members at IATSE have earned and deserve,” said IATSE International president Matthew D. Loeb.

The previous contract had been in effect from July 1, 2019, through July 2, 2023, but the members had been working under the previous terms for as long as the talks were productive. The first negotiation session was held May 25. The two parties met for a 19-hour bargaining session starting Monday evening. No additional sessions had been scheduled as of Wednesday morning.

According to the union, some progress has been made, including tentative agreements on employer-provided health care, without making cuts to plans or increasing out-of-pocket costs, as well as gaining employer-provided housing for touring crews, in a first for the pink contract workers. However, there are still sticking points around increased wages on Broadway and setting weekly and daily rest periods.

A spokesperson for the Broadway League, the trade association for producers and general managers, said the league had no comment at this time.

IATSE is the latest union to consider a labor action after the Writers Guild went on strike May 2 and SAG-AFTRA went on strike July 14. Members of IATSE and Loeb himself have joined in on many of their picket lines and rallies.

In April, Actors’ Equity issued a strike authorization vote for its touring contract with the Broadway League and received signoff from members. The union reached an agreement with the league and members ratified the contract later that same month.

This is a separate contract from the Bus & Truck Touring Agreement, which covers crewmembers working on touring shows that are not produced by the Broadway League. Members of that contract voted to ratify a new agreement this month after previously warning of an impasse in negotiations.

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