GATEWAY VS. AEA

I read the case twice, here and on another Chat. I’m not sure what the problem is between them. Gateway Theatre on Long Island contracted “employees “ on Equity contracts. AEA contracts Actors and Stage Managers in live theatre. Is AEA saying the “employees” contracted at Gateway were other than those categories? 

Any ideas? Thx.

Thanks a lot AEA AGMA SM. Makes sense.

Undoubtedly there was some severe negligence from some business reps over the years, I won't deny that. There's also been a greater and greater push these past few years, especially amongst the stage management community, who are often the most affected by this practice, to bring accountability against these sort of actions.

But no matter what the timing and motivation for finally taking action was, it's a practice that needs to end (and, as I said, does fall under the umbrella of insurance fraud).

Gateway has always been know for shaddy stuff. There's a reason most actors don't return there. It's an equity house that's basically a glorified summer stock theater.

AEA AGMA SM said: "One is that that employee typically ends up qualifying for health coverage through the union, and also becomes vested into the pension plan (to become vested a member only needs two qualifying work weeks over a consecutive five year period)."
 

I can understand why the employee would want AEA health insurance and pension, but why would the theater (the employer) want that? Their portion of those payments into the AEA plan almost certainly costs a lot more than if there offered them insurance through their own group plan - or even paying 100% of the premium for an Obama care plan. And they wouldn't have to pay the pension (I'm assuming most regional theaters don't offer a pension plan.)

Yes but the “actor” can take that with them to any other job and continue to receive the benefit for that calendar year, or if they go to another theatre doing the same thing, can maintain it.

Also, the more complicated answer is that it uses up one of their required AEA contracts for a production, allowing them to hire talent outside of the Union Agreement and allows the theatre more freedom to give less to the performer in the way of pay, housing, schedule restrictions, etc.

THIS

Absolutely 100 % inaccurate regarding current Theatre by the Sea housing. All the actors are housed together in a comfortable motel that the theater now rents for the summer. All the Equity actors have single occupancy and most of the non equity have double occupancy with some having single.  It is not dorm style.  It is as if you were just staying in a motel.  Some rooms have one queen sized bed, and some have twin sized beds. All the rooms have A/C of course and cable TV and mini fridges with microwaves. In addition to the rooms there is a house adjacent that has a full kitchen with multiple refrigerator, dining room, living room etc. In addition the rooms are regularly cleaned by they staff who live there the whole year.

Perhaps you worked there in the past and things were different (which I believe WAS the case) but these days, there are no complaints about housing there. In addition there is a full larger house at a different location where the leads can stay if they want. To get around, vans are provided. 

And it IS summer stock. You can call is glorified summer stock as much as you like, but.....that is what the theater is.......summer stock. It has never represented itself as anything else.  Same with Gateway. In both cases some of their shows are excellent and some are not. 

Yes. I'm going way back for Theater By The Sea. Like15 years ago.  But from some actors I've known that have worked there recently, they weren't exactly thrilled about the housing they provided. And this included no working A/C during the summer.