Broadway stagehand talks break off

NEW YORK, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Talks between producers and stagehands broke off in New York Sunday with no settlement of a strike that has shut down more than two dozen Broadway shows.

Negotiators for Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees met for 12 hours Sunday with their counterparts from the League of American Theaters and Producers before breaking off talks, The New York Times reported. The marathon session followed an even longer meeting -- 13 hours -- Saturday.

Producers' demands include more flexibility on the number of stagehands they are required to have on the clock at given times. Local One has said it is open to accommodating the demand, if the producers will give the union benefits of equal value, the newspaper said.

Of the four Broadway shows scheduled to participate n Thursday's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, three are not affected by the walkout. Cast members from the fourth, "Legally Blonde," will be able to perform in the parade, but they will not be able to wear the costumes they use in the show, because the wardrobe union is honoring the picket line, the Times reported.

Stagehands walked out Nov. 10, bringing the curtain down on all but eight Broadway productions.