theatrevault.com

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), a major labor union that represents professional actors and stage managers, voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year League of Resident Theatres (LORT) contract.  The new contract maintains salaries at current levels for two years, a change from a one year extension of the earlier 2008-9 contract that would have shown significant increases in salaries, health rates and per diems.  Executive Director John P. Connolly attributes these changes to “greatly diminished corporate and foundation support and reduced government funding.”  The new contract does implement a 2% salary increase in the third year.  Other changes to the previous contract include adding more flexibility to the use of promotional clips in new media and a clause ensuring that members receive recognition for participation in such pieces.  A related media payment provides, for the first time, employer contributions toward member 401(K) plans, as well.

For more information, see this article from the AEA website.