#1
Posted: 4/10/20 at 1:33pm
Are all of the union offices associated with Broadway workers closed? Are the workers paying dues during the shut down?
#2
Posted: 4/10/20 at 1:58pm
Like most other businesses, the physical offices are closed but administrative work is being done from home. Each union (and local within the union) has its own dues/assessment structure, and there is no blanket policy in place.
#3
Posted: 4/10/20 at 6:22pm
Equity's offices are closed, though staff members are working, and working a lot, remotely. Working dues are being deducted from the streaming contracts they've been able to create. The due date for the basic dues payment that is normally due in May has been pushed to the end of July, and delinquency penalties have been pushed to even further dates. They've also requested that those who can afford to make the payment, or even a portion of it, by the original due date do so, as obviously the main source of income for the union, working dues, have pretty much dried up to a trickle right now.
#4
Posted: 4/10/20 at 6:32pm
I know that the ushers union Local 306 is closed. But, dues are done on an quarterly basis. But, you have the option of mailing in a check one quarter at a time, or you can send them a check for one lump sum at the beginning of the year, which is what I did this year.
#5
Posted: 4/11/20 at 1:38am
My friend who is an usher mailed a quarterly check that was due 3/30 to local 306 and it was never cashed which made him think the office was entirely closed. He was just surprised that the checks were not being cashed. He had mailed the check the middle of March. He also was surprised he had not received a mass letter addressing frequently asked questions during the pandemic.
Updated On: 4/11/20 at 01:38 AM
#6
Posted: 4/11/20 at 8:36am
I know nothing of the specific situation with the ushers' union, but with small offices, it is possible that someone contracted the virus and also possible that it spread in a small office. This could result in folks not being able to work. I hope everyone in that office is well, and it is also important to understand that many people in New York have the virus but are unreported because they do not require hospitalization and have been told to remain at home to recover. In these cases, relatively mild/moderate symptoms can nonetheless interfere with working, just as it would with more familiar cases of the flu. In this context, it is not that odd. Likewise, an office might make the reasonable assumption that going to the office and then to the bank do not constitute essential activity.
#7
Posted: 4/13/20 at 10:20am
I don’t think that ushers union office is closed due to someone having COVID. Many offices (not just those for theater unions) are closed as a precautionary measure. And there are many who are working at home as a result. My gut feeling is that the office for the ushers union is closed as a result of that. Not because someone had COVID.
#8
Posted: 4/16/20 at 5:08pm
Cuomo extened the PAUSE directing non-essential workers to STAY work from HOME 'til at least May 15. Just an FYI - My company just announced that we will continue to work from HOME 'til June 1 and offices will not reopen before then!
Hang in there everyone!!!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Updated On: 4/16/20 at 05:08 PM
#9
Posted: 4/17/20 at 7:49am
I would think union offices could work from home...generating emails and contacting members. It seems dues should be re-examined if everyone is out of work for 18 months or more.
#10
Posted: 4/17/20 at 10:15am
Equity is remaining fully staffed, with everyone working from home.
But frankly, without dues, there is no way a union can remain operational. Working dues- the dues that come from weekly contract salaries- are gone. That leaves only the biannual membership dues as a source of income.
Also, benefit contributions from employers have likewise stopped.
But frankly, without dues, there is no way a union can remain operational. Working dues- the dues that come from weekly contract salaries- are gone. That leaves only the biannual membership dues as a source of income.
Also, benefit contributions from employers have likewise stopped.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
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