Local one to start strike meetings 10/21- Page 5

[bugmenot]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 11:54pm

But which set of books would we actually get to see? Set "A", the "Public Set", Set "B", the "Private Set" or Set "C", the "Reality Set" ?

We're talking about the people who INVENTED cooking of the books, before there were movies, music recordings, or television.

[BwayInsider]

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

Why should any private company 'open its books' to employees? If members of the union want to see the financials they can. They simply have to make an investment in the show and take the same risk as any investor/producer. I haven't seen many stage hands lining up to invest in shows though.

Furthermore, why does the stage hands union think they should be entitled to continuing antiquated work rules? Remember that any theatrical venture is a tremendous risk, and with great risk comes great reward.
Updated On: 10/23/07 at 10:10 AM

[claudia2]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 10:38am

Broadway Insider, What do you do? You really do not have a clue. My husband is a member of local one and we have invested in several Broadway Shows. Local one is not asking for better wages if a show is successful.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 11:07am

"Remember that any theatrical venture is a tremendous risk, and with great risk comes great reward."

And part of that risk involves working with the unions and meeting their obligations under the contracts. When planning the budget it's the Producers task to take into account the contractual demands of the unions and to plan the budget accordingly. If they feel that they can not turn a profit by working with the unions, then they should either recalculate their budget or go non-union. Producers have absolutely no obligation to bring their shows into union houses, they can mount their productions elsewhere if they so choose, using non-union employees. It's their option, not the unions.

"Why should any private company 'open its books' to employees?"

Why shouldn't they? Especially, when they are crying poor, and blaming the union for their financial woes. It's much easier to blame the unions for failure than to actually prove it, especially when you don't have to back up your claims with actual figures.

"Furthermore, why does the stage hands union think they should be entitled to better wages if shows are successful?"

Union contracts run for several years. They are not negotiated on a per-show basis. The success of a show during the course of the contract does not entitle the union members to higher wages. The salaries are established in the contract and remain in place until the contract expires.

Updated On: 10/23/07 at 11:07 AM

[localonecrew]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 11:11pm

why not open the books? they use their numbers to cry poverty.
numbers they post on playbill.com, of course only after all royalty payments have been subtracted as well as other dividends they dont want known.
those bway gross numbers are so bogus its ridiculous.

[One NYC StageHand]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 1:21am

More swiftboating of labor unions, this time Local One.
Insider, the reason that grosses started to be published back in the thirties was to reattract investors. You may not be aware of this but Max Bialystock was meant to be ironic, not a role model. Printing the grosses was good PR, which the Producers desperately needed. In todays world where lists are so important, when opening day BO for some movies is a story on the nightly news, do you really think going back into the shadows is such a good idea? The guys from Enron were pretty secretive.
As far as drinking and drugs are concerned, Local One's membership reflects the times they live in, always have. When I got into this business back in the 70's, I was looking for sex, drugs and rock and roll. I found rock and roll and got mostly teeshirts. I know a Friday AA meeting that is open to everyone. There you'll see plenty of stagehands. Actors, directors, hotel clerks, doctors, secretaries, producers, bankers, cooks and investors. It's an equal opportunity disease.

[pab]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 1:33am

Local One Encourages Members to Keep Broadway Lit During Contract Stalemate

[Neverandy]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 1:39am

This seems like the union is taking a step back. The league really has forced their hand. Unfortunately , at first glance, the public will look at the issues and probably side with the league. Most people don't understand what we (I mean showpeople) do, and the intricacies of our work are lost on them. How many times, on this board alone, do actors have to defend themselves, their work, and their profession as a whole? It is to this ignorance in regards to the stagehands that the league is pandering. If the union strikes, the public will be against them. Shame on the league!

[billynj]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 8:25am

What exactly is the union asking for

[roadmixer]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 9:30am

neverandy - What makes you think that the 'union is taking a step back'. The union has always been open to continuing to negotiate. That stance has not changed. As far as public opinion is concerned, it is regrettable that the League is continuing to attempt to turn the public against the union but the outcome of this situation will not be directly affected by the views of the public.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:38am

It just seems like they are changing their stance from the "no work in december" statement they made.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 10/30/07 at 5:27pm

Another chapter or more of the same?


NY Times

[roadmixer]

Posted: 10/30/07 at 5:29pm

Of for another few words on the subject...

NY Post