Equity Passes New Production Contract

Actors' Equity Association has passed a new production contract that most notably will allow for six shows in three days up to twelve times a year. A letter emailed to Equity members today notes that:

"We are pleased to inform you that the Production Contract has been ratified with 75% of the valid returned ballots approving the agreement. We believe that this contract is a very good agreement with substantial gains in several areas.

"We want to acknowledge that many people felt the 6 in 3 performance schedule 12 times a year to be an onerous rule and that producers will take advantage of it whenever they can. We want to stress that Equity believes otherwise and the staff will be aggressive in ensuring the restrictions and protections are adhered to, that producers do not abuse the rule. We will ensure the safety and well-being of our members, especially when this flexible schedule is used.

"In preparation for convening the new Labor Management Committee, staff will be doing more visits to shows. Our Executive Director, Mary McColl, will also be meeting with each Production Contract company (either in person or via conference calls with shows that are on the road) to ensure we are hearing about work place issues that impact the day to day life of our members."

Actors' Equity Association represents more than 49,000 professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States. Founded in 1913, Equity will begin a year-long celebration next year of its 100th Anniversary.