In a significant development for the Broadway industry, the Actors' Equity Association and The Broadway League have reached a settlement concerning a grievance filed against the producers and licensor of the popular musical, Waitress. The grievance, which was filed in May 2022, accused the producers, Barry and Fran Weissler, and the licensor, National Artists Management Company (NAMCO), of "double-breasting" - profiting simultaneously from union and non-union workers.

Actors' Equity Association, the labor union representing over 51,000 professional actors and stage managers, and The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, issued a joint statement expressing their satisfaction with the settlement. They acknowledged the interests of all parties involved, including the producers, actors, and stage managers, given the unique circumstances surrounding the non-Equity production of Waitress.

The settlement addresses the violation of the union recognition clause, which is part of both Equity's Production Contract and Short Engagement Touring Agreement, to which NAMCO and the Weisslers are party through their membership in the Broadway League. This violation would have occurred in connection with the most recent tour of the production.

Prior to the settlement, Actors' Equity Association had filed with the National Labor Relations Board to represent the actors and stage managers of the non-union tour. This filing was the result of a card campaign initiated by Actors' members who expressed their desire to be represented by the theatrical union. One of the primary concerns raised by non-union company members was the significant pay disparity, with reports indicating that they were paid a third of what their union counterparts received. Furthermore, the non-union performers cited the comparatively less stringent working conditions in the production.

Details about the terms of the settlement have not been disclosed publicly. However, the resolution of this grievance and the agreement between Actors' Equity Association and The Broadway League mark an important step towards ensuring fair treatment and equitable working conditions for all actors and stage managers in the Broadway industry.

The settlement also highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of union contracts and uphold the rights of unionized workers within the theatrical community. The Broadway League, as the representative body for the industry, plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced and sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders.

With the resolution of the Waitress grievance, the Broadway industry can now focus on moving forward and continuing to bring remarkable productions to audiences worldwide, while upholding the principles of fair labor practices and artistic excellence.