Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular Musicians on Strike

Musicians for Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular went on strike yesterday, according to The New York Times. While both of yesterday's scheduled pre-season Spectacular shows were canceled, the show will open tonight as scheduled regardless of whether an agreement can be reached with the musicians. Radio City Entertainment is prepared to use pre-recorded music for the show.

Negotiations between Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians and Radio City over a new musicians' contract turned sour weeks ago. One major sticking point is the awarding and rate of overtime pay. Last week demonstrations about the contract negotiations were held outside the venue.

"Radio City offered our musicians increases in salary and benefits over what is already the most lucrative contract in the industry, protected their overtime provision and provided year-round health benefits, despite the fact that the musicians work only 10 weeks," Radio City spokesperson Barry Watkins said in a statement. "They rejected that proposal." An 802 spokesperson reportedly countered that his union was ready to agree to Radio City's terms, but the proposed deal was taken off the table.

It has been a couple of years since the Local 802 four-day strike that crippled Broadway. At that time, some producers had planned to use a "virtual orchestra" in case of a strike, but, when Local One Gotham's IATSE chapter and Equity decided to strike in solidarity, there was no way the shows could go on until an agreement with 802 was reached. Radio City has no plans to cancel any more shows however, and stated that the Christmas Spectacular will be on tonight whether or not a contract with the musicians can be worked out beforehand.

The Rockettes, an essential part of the Christmas Spectacular, walked out with the musicians yesterday. However, a Radio City spokesperson says they will be onstage tonight.