Performers and stage managers at Chicago’s venerable comedy venue The Second City are threatening to strike if they are unable to reach an agreement with management over wage increases.
The Actors Equity Association announced the possibility of a strike. Negotiations between Actors Equity and leadership at The Second City have been ongoing since February. The performers and stage managers are seeking higher pay. The current contract expired April 13.
“Wages are the No. 1 issue when it comes to our Equity members that work with Second City,” said George Elrod, a member of the negotiating team for Actors Equity and a performer in the touring company for The Second City.
Elrod said the negotiations have been cordial, but the two sides are still “very far apart” when it comes to wages. “Second City workers are very much dedicated to strike for a living wage, and that is something that the lead negotiator can pull if the next meeting doesn’t go well,” he said.
The next bargaining meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
The Second City is owned by ZMC, a New York private equity firm. ZMC bought the company in 2021 after the departure of longtime co-owner Andrew Alexander in a controversy over Second City’s diversity record.
Second City instructors, who are in a different union, threatened to strike in 2023 before reaching a contract agreement.
The Second City did not respond to a request for comment.
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