B’way Union Edges Closer to Strike
According to Playbill.com:
Members of Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees assembled Oct. 21 to vote on whether they would authorize their union’s leaders to call a strike against the League of American Theatres and Producers should that be necessary.
According to a press statement released by Local One, the 1,000 members of the stagehands union unanimously agreed to allow the leaders of the union to call a strike should the leaders feel that a necessary action.
Currently, there has been no strike called.
A second unanimous vote will allow the leaders to call a work stoppage if necessary, and a third vote, also unanimous, will allocate $1 million from the union’s general fund to help other unions who might be affected by a Broadway work stoppage.
James J. Claffey, Jr, the president of the union, told his members, “No work in December without a deal.” The union, according to the press statement, will continue to work should the producers start implementing new rules on Oct. 22. The announcement also says that the union hopes the producers will return to the bargaining table.
The League of American Theatres and Producers responded with its own statement Oct. 21 at 2:40 PM. Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the League, said, “Today’s strike authorization vote is a typical part of the bargaining process with Local One.
The League wants the theatregoing public to know that all shows will continue to perform until and unless Local One walks out. No one at the League wants Broadway to go dark. The responsibility for a decision to shut down Broadway rests squarely with Local One.
