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When actors and stagehands refused to cross the picket lines, all but one of Broadway's 19 musicals were shuttered
The union feared the loss of minimums, saying that producers are really seeking to slash the number of musicians for economic reasons org
American Federation of Musicians: http://www org
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On the Net:
League of American Theatres and Producers: http://www 8 million
The dispute was over minimums, how many musicians are required for a Broadway orchestra Francis College and a former city schools chancellor
The negotiations were mediated by Frank Macchiarola, president of St
The impasse has cost city businesses more than $7 million, with weekend box office losses estimated at another $4 "Broadway is no longer dark That figure is set by the size of the theater, with the largest houses currently requiring 24 to 26 musicians
Broadway's total economic contribution to the city is estimated at more than $4 billion yearly, tourism and theater officials say Musicians say they need staff minimums to help protect artistic freedom Broadway Musicians, Producers Reach Deal
Mar 11, 9:55 AM EST
Striking musicians reached an agreement with theater producers Tuesday to end a walkout that shut down 18 musicals since Friday, crippling restaurants, hotels and other businesses that depend on theatergoers The mayor, citing Broadway's enormous contributions to the city economy, became personally involved in the talks at Gracie Mansion
The producers initially demanded no minimums, then offered seven
"We have great news," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg broadway
Details of the agreement were not immediately available He warned of "significant job losses" if the strike is not resolved
If there was a bright spot to the strike, it was that tourists and New Yorkers determined to go to the theater turned to off-Broadway shows and non-musical plays not affected by the strike
The battle was being waged on already shaky economic ground, said Jonathan Tisch, chairman of the city's agency for tourism afm They raised that on Friday to 15 for the biggest theaters, but the musicians' union refused the proposal
The strike began after talks between the League of American Theatres and Producers and Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians broke down "
The two sides, which bargained for nearly 12 hours through the night at the mayoral mansion, made a joint announcement with Bloomberg The losses come at a particularly bad time for a city struggling with high unemployment and massive deficits |