Actors Equity has voted to ratify a new five-year agreement after an eight-month strike against developmental productions.

The new contract includes a cumulative pay increase of more than 8 percent for Equity members, which was the unions top priority in the agreement. It also includes increased pre-production time for stage managers and the creation of a joint working group between the union and the employers to create a new audition access program.

The agreement is effective immediately and extends to Feb. 11, 2029. Equity noted that the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service worked to bring the union and The Broadway League, the trade association made up of producers and general managers, to agreement.

The contract pertains to workshops and readings of shows held before potential full productions on Broadway or elsewhere. Equity said it stopped issuing developmental contracts in June. Still, some developmental work continued as producers worked with non-profits and other non-Broadway League members to stage workshops and readings.

This was the second time Actors Equity had gone on strike over the agreement. In 2019, the union went on a 33-day strike as the agreement was being restructured and won the ability for union members who take part in the development of certain productions to gain a share in 1 percent of the shows profits, once the show goes on to a full production and recoups, as well as a salary increase.

The strike came as Brooke Shieldstook over leadershipas president of Actors Equity in late May.

Today is a day to celebrate the hard work of Equitys team in getting us back into the rehearsal halls and making some magic, said Equity Negotiating Team Chair Stephen Bogardus. The talent and commitment our members bring to their work is vital in transporting whats on paper to the stage, and Development work sessions are a crucial step in that process. This was a long strike, but it was worth it. I know our members are looking forward to digging into the work we love doing while being more fairly compensated for that labor.

Actors Equity and the Broadway League are scheduled to negotiate the production contract, which covers Broadway shows, this summer.