Broadway Cleaners Union Votes to Authorize Strike

On Tuesday, 32BJ members who clean Broadway theaters in NYC voted to authorize a strike if needed to win the strong union contract they need and deserve. The action, if taken, would affect 30 theatres, including the homes of Schmigadoon!, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Wicked, and The Lion King. The union is fighting for wage increases, strengthened retirement security, better work conditions and paid leave, strengthened anti-discrimination measures, and safeguards for comprehensive employer-paid healthcare.

Bargaining committee member Martha Aristizabal works as a porter at the Ambassador Theatre. “Even though we may be invisible to many people, our work certainly isn’t," she said. "We bring years of experience to the iconic theatres of this city. During COVID, we put our lives on the line to ensure Broadway could open again. For each show, we stand ready to meet the needs of the performance—whether it’s cleaning up hundreds of pieces of gravel from the stage or collecting millions of pieces of confetti from the carpet. We need a contract that reflects our essential role in this industry and allows us to support our families, and we’re ready to strike if that’s what it takes.” Read more in Playbill and The Hollywood Reporter and find more photos and video here!