Lock-out could come any time

#1

Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/7/07 at 10:20pm

Stagehands and producers resumed talks, but some shows' casts were told to take anything important home from their dressing rooms, because a lock out could come anytime. If producers are going to essentially shut down their own shows over this, they're going to do it before next weekend when Thanksgiving crowds start arriving. I'm sure they assume the mayor will intervene before it gets to close to Thanksgiving.

#2

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 5:34am

The stage hands will strike in December when most shows do their best business. Prepare to see many shows close if this happens.

#3

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 11:07am

I really wish they cpuld just avoid all this.

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#4

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 11:13am

It's extremely unlikely that the producers will perform a lockout now that the union has informed its membership to prepare to strike. For one, it would be really bad publicity, and two, if they lock out the union, they have to pay all other staff members who aren't locked-out. With a strike, they don't have to pay anyone.

#5

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 7:21pm

With what is going on in the world these days, this is not the most important thing in the world.

If it happens it happens. Hopefully, it will be short to keep the damage that will occur to many to a minimum.

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Poster Emeritus

#6

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 7:36pm

Sh*t...I am going to see Little Mermaid on 11/24...so it shouldn't affect the Thanksgiving crowd? I haven't really been following the details of the possibility of a lock-out.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#7

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:02pm

the union is going on strike tomorrow afternoon.
theatres should be locked tomorrow night

#8

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:04pm

We shall see.

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Poster Emeritus

#9

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:04pm

Well if this happens, my December trip to NYC is ruined, my main purpose for NYC is to see shows among other things.

#10

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:08pm

Good thing the next show I have tickets for is like three weeks away.
Guess if the strike is going on I won't be rushing next weekend...

#11

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:09pm

NY , especially at Christmas, is much more than Broadway. You will have a great time no matter what.

Try the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central for great drinks & great atmosphere. The kiosks in Vanderbilt Hall are great. Try Bryant Park & have a nice hot drink while watching the skaters.
You also have the Christmas fair in Union Square. Another thing to do is the Tree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What about the Lincoln Center tree & the Big Apple Circus?

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Poster Emeritus

#12

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:10pm

don't worry. it won't last long. there is no way the city will allow it to go on for more than a week tops.

#13

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:21pm

How will they mandate a settlement?

It will be over when both sides get what they want or one side caves. My guess is the union will not be the one who blinks.

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Poster Emeritus

#14

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:23pm

"the union is going on strike tomorrow afternoon."

Is this your guess or something you are saying you actually know?

#15

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:35pm

DoranC - The Union has to give 48 hours notice of when the Strike will begin, likewise the League must give 48 hours notice of a Lockout. So everyone will know well in advance when either the Strike or the Lockout will occur; if indeed either one does occur. I think DownStageRight was just being flippant.

#16

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:53pm

let me preface this post with; "I know this is probably a stupid question, but I really dont know the answer, so dont scream at me please"
My son, who attends Pace Univ, is Interning as the ASM in an EQUITY show Off Broadway that opens Nov 23. I am flyng from Seattle to attend on Dec 1st. (well actually its 2 shows: I KNOCK AT THE DOOR and PICTURES IN THE HALLWAY- at The New Globe Theatre)There are no "stage hands" in the productions... IF the strike happens, does anyone know how these shows be effected?

#17

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:55pm

An early casualty would be The Seafarer.

It is dying at the box office & any prolonged stoppage would doom it.

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#18

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:57pm

Thanks, Stagefan.

Although I'm not sure 48 hours qualifies as "well in advance" --how 'bout like 4 months, so no one will end up with non-refundable airline tickets or hotel deposits. But, of course, I understand what you meant and now I'M the one just being flippant! (Well, sort of.)

I know the city can step into a strike once it can claim economic impact or some such (can that be claimed immediately?). I assume they can't mandate or force a settlement, but would their role just be mediator or are there powers or specific pressures that the city can apply to speed a settlement?

#19

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 8:59pm

"My son, who attends Pace Univ, is Interning as the ASM in an EQUITY show Off Broadway that opens Nov 23... IF the strike happens, does anyone know how these shows be effected?"

If it's Off Broadway it wouldn't be affected -- in fact, they might pick up some audience members, I should think.

Updated On: 11/8/07 at 08:59 PM

#20

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 9:04pm

"An early casualty would be The Seafarer."

WAHH! I loved that play.

And the actors are awesome.

#21

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 9:19pm

I presume that the mayor might step in to require a cooling down period of 15 to 30 days in which both sides agree not to strike and to continue to negotiate. I know this has been used in threatened transit strikes but I don't know whether it can be done in situations involving private parties.

#22

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/8/07 at 9:26pm

"I presume that the mayor might step in to require a cooling down period of 15 to 30 days in which both sides agree not to strike and to continue to negotiate."

My understanding is that, although the mayor can no doubt offer his help or make suggestions, it isn't until a strike actually occurs that he gains the legal right to get involved. But I'm curious what "get involved" means -- other than just sitting at the table and saying 'Can't we all just get along!?'

#23

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/9/07 at 10:27am

"don't worry. it won't last long. there is no way the city will allow it to go on for more than a week tops."

The mayor has absolutely no jurisdiction over the labor negotiations between private entities. If Broadway were in some form regulated, then he might be able to extert some power. The transit strike is different, because as a government entity, they are not legally permitted to strike and the Mayor has total jurisdiction over it. The airline industry is covered under a separate law which permits the President to exert some authority. If Broadway strikes then the mayor has to sit it out with the rest of us.

#24

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/9/07 at 10:29am

The strike will last for a long time without any hope of settlement.

So please, lose all hopes for seeing that big Broadway show you've been dreaming about. Because it's not going to happen. They will not settle. The strike will last forever.

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#25

re: Lock-out could come any time

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:17am

^Your positivity is greatly appreciated.^

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