Local one to start strike meetings 10/21- Page 4

[bugmenot]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:03pm

I agree with this. Many of the managers appear to have absolutely no idea what goes on in the theatres, once the people are hired and contracts are signed. This incompetence translates into escalating costs, as they make mistake after mistake. But of course it's the stagehands who make their shows expensive to mount and box office failures.

to quote whoever's blogging at http://onenycstagehand.blogspot.com : "The League is linking shows closing to the cost of labor. Somehow "Ring of Fire" was more expensive than "Jersey Boys". "Festen" and "The Pirate Queen" were more expensive than "Spring Awakening". They all loaded in with the same size crews. The only real difference is that some were hits and some weren't. The Producers are telling each other (and their Investors) that if only we could reduce costs, we would have hits, hits and more hits. The way I see it is that this like going to a casino and telling the waitress that brings you drinks she needs to work for less because you don't like the odds at the craps table."

[localonecrew]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:05pm

no

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:07pm

On the phone with my friend in NYC and he said New York 1 just had something on that said union authorized the strike.

[Lori2]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:10pm

Ok thanks "localonecrew"

I read so many articles I was confused on what they were trying to say if there was one or not this week.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:11pm

This I can completely understand. We had two Managers quit the same day. Neither one of them wanted the other's work load. In steps up, Upper Managerment to prove they had no concept of our work requirements. It took us two months, pissing off a lot of associates in the process, screwing up timelines and loan approvals, before we could finally get the office back to its original working order again.

I watched a successful Company implode on itself because of poor management and a lack of knowledge of successful operations. Life goes on but we lost something really great because money does not take the place of actually knowing the basic standards of their business.

How many times has it been said, "That is what I pay you to do? To think for me?" If that be the case, than it is going to cost you a bundle. I only hope those who pay others to do the work for them realize how dismal their lives would be without all of that money? It could get much worse if they cannot find a fair compromise.

[stockmanjr]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:58pm

Full details from new york 1 here.
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=74789

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:20pm

So...basically we find out tomorrow whether or not there will be a strike by Local One?

[bugmenot]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:36pm

No, that's not correct. You won't find out if there will be a strike by local one until local one says there's a strike. It might happen tomorrow (unlikely). It might happen next weekend. It might happen December 1st. Hopefully it won't happen at all: the League will come back to the table, and come back to their senses, and negotiate an equitable deal. But I'm not holding my breath.

The union has said they will not "blindside the theatre-going public." You should check the news before heading to the theatre. If there is a strike, you can take the union at their word that there will be ample notice.

Here's a new lie by Charlotte St Martin, from the League's press release: "stagehands are still the highest paid theatrical workers in the world -- with many making upwards of $200,000 or more." -- that is an outright lie. I sat down with the contract and a spreadsheet, and there is no way to make that figure on a broadway contract on an annual basis. Most of us scramble like crazy to make the threshold earnings level required for our health insurance coverage, and it's well below $100,000.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:42pm

I am going to NYC Nov. 29-Dec. 4th and I have already purchased my Broadway show tickets for several shows. Of course, I was worried when I found out there might be a strike in December. Luckily the theaters for all the shows I am seeing are not included in the League of American Theaters, so I can still see my shows. But how awful will it be when 22 houses go dark for the holiday season. I can't imagine Christmas in New York being very jolly if this happens.

But we can all hope for the best and hope that the League comes to a realization that this would do more damage then anything else.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:45pm

I am supposed to be there from the 5th thru the 10th of December. I am thinking things will be resolved by then. At least I hope they are.

[BwayInsider]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 1:57am

Here's a way to change the negotiations:

Require all Local One members who work on shows to take random drug tests as well as alcohol breath tests upon entering the theater for work. If, as the stage hands are claiming, safety is a prime concern of theirs, they wont have any problem agreeing. If an employee fails the tests, they are sent home and don't get paid for the day. That would save the shows a lot of money, however, they probably wouldn't be able to put on a show either because half of the crews would be sent home.



Updated On: 10/22/07 at 01:57 AM

[LittleMsUsher]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:15am

Hey has anyone bothered to look at the weekly grosses per theater that is reported to playbill.com I mean really for a company like Jujamcyn -Theater August Wilson formally the Virginia Theater- Jersey Boys grossed $1,272,077.00 for the week of October 8-14, or look at Subert Theater -Shubert Organization-Spamalot grossed $712,888.00 for that week as well. I mean really how much money do they have to make. Also what happens if Broadway goes dark those shows that happen to be sold out for a while say a year or two and hey I'm on bus trip from say Allentown PA are they going to not only give me ticket for a year from now are they going to pay my bus fare as well or for the whole group in general I mean the average bus trip group is about 50 people. Unions need to stick together Lead on Local 1 just remember your other Brother and Sister Unions.

[BwayInsider]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:17am

MsUsher-double posting the same poor run-on sentences is just plain bad. I mean really.

[LittleMsUsher]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 4:51am

I understand why they need to strike or at least be given the option, what would you do if you were getting laid off for job cuts, oh wait you are probably not in the actor union seriously unions are their to protect the members, it's basic job security. Not only that most Broadway shows are given a two week notice prior to the show closing and then the theater is dark for who knows maybe six months maybe longer and oh guess what those stage hands are out of work gee if it's not a hit like Spamalot, Mama Mia, Phantom, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Wicked your NOT WORKING.... Oh yes another double posting but really not only does this hurt the theaters but it hurts the theater patron more, since after all if someone gets frustrated with the strike and say they resent going to Broadway it hurts the theaters in the long run. But the union should be given the choice (oh did I repeat myself); of what to do that is good for their members. Oh are my sentences poor and on running. Oh no BAD for me.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 8:23am

BwyInsider - Based on your inaccurate and downright insulting comments I would gather that you side with management on this disagreement. Perhaps you should refrain from statements based on conjecture or hearsay or, if you have evidence of malfeasance, you should take that to your producer friends so that they can cash in on it. Otherwise please cease and desist spreading bile.

[BwayInsider]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 8:51am

Roadmixer, not spreading bile, or hearsay. Simply adding some actual first hand knowledge to this board which is filled with conjecture and misinformation.
Updated On: 10/22/07 at 08:51 AM

[roadmixer]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 9:09am

BwayInsider - Don't you think that suggesting that 50% of stagehands are drunk or stoned on the job is a bit of a reach and is not factual at all? I have been working on Broadway for going on 20 years and I can tell you that today, at this point in history that is, inebriation of any kind on the job is no more widespread in this profession than it is in any other. I see plenty of general managers and producers around the neighborhood drinking at lunch. Would I suggest that they are stoned while negotiating contracts...? Maybe!

[BwayInsider]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 9:14am

Roadmixer-suggest whatever you like. Perhaps 50% is a reach but perhaps not. I simply speak of what I have experienced.

[proptart101]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 9:16am

Perhaps one should be required to take a drug or alcohol test before posting.

Or acting for that matter.

[BwayInsider]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 9:26am

Why so angry pop? Truth hurts I guess.

[proptart101]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 9:31am

Merely replying in kind.

[localonecrew]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 6:17pm

bway insider is obviously bitter about being such a broadway outsider. hence the need to try and make everyone think they are in the know by creating that username. so insecure!

[bugmenot]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:19pm

> Require all Local One members who work on shows to
> take random drug tests as well as alcohol breath tests

I think the local would agree to drug and alcohol screening, if the general managers and producers agree to submit to IQ tests.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:44pm

If what bwayinsider says is true, than I guess we can sidestep the IQ tests. The Producer's must be complete idiots for employing these people in the first place. Of course if they did do drug testing on Broadway, patrons would still have to suffer Broadway going dark. While some Producers will go completely out of business because you are cutting into their revenue.

Since when are only stagehands loaded at work? This really is a weak argument.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:46pm

I think Local One would agree to drug tests, if the League would agree to open their books, so everyone can see where the money actually goes.

Updated On: 10/22/07 at 11:46 PM