Broadway Musicians Preparing To Walk
Officially on strike since 12:01 AM today, approximately 350 members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 have cleared out their lockers and will be picketing in front of the Broadway musicals that they normally play in (see WIT for March 3, 2003). Centered on the demands of producers and theatre-owners that contractual minimum orchestral staffing requirements be eliminated, the dispute means that theatre-goers will likely be listening to "virtual orchestras" tonight and for the near future (see WIT for Nov. 12, 2002). Potentially raising the stakes, such other member unions of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds as the Actors Equity Guild have been discussing sympathy strikes in support of the musicians---whose position is also supported by most Broadway composers and music directors.
See "Broadway Musicians Preparing To Walk", TANIA PADGETT, Newsday, March 6, 2003