Strike - Actors?

[sbuxthesbian4]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 2:45pm

So, I'm understanding both sides of the issue with the strike (and though I do side with the Union) I can understand a little of where both sides are coming from. However, what about the actors and musicians? It's not their strike (and though I would think most of them would and should be in support of the Union strikers) and they aren't working either. Unemployment pay is drastically lower compared to their normal paychecks, not to mention they have to show up every night for call as usual to prove they are ready and able to work. They can't do anything about it but their jobs are being affected as well... I just feel like there is so much attention being placed on the stagehands and the producers that the people caught in limbo (the actors and pit musicians who aren't able to work) are being overlooked, not like much can really be done about them right now anyway. Any thoughts?
Updated On: 11/14/07 at 02:45 PM

[CJR]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 2:55pm

Unemployment pay is drastically lower compared to their normal paychecks,

As unemployment is, no matter what industry you work in. The one time I had to collect between jobs, I went from bringing home close to $950 a week to only bringing home $282 a week. Unemployment sucks for anyone. And as for the actors still having to show up to prove they're able and willing to work, well it's the same thing as having to file your unemployment claim (with questionaire) each week.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 2:57pm

No it's not. You claim unemployment weeks over the phone or online. You don't have to leave your house.

[sbuxthesbian4]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 2:58pm

Yes, but paying rent in NYC and then not having your normal amount of pay to cover that can be a bit taxing. Not to mention that they are locked into a contract so they cannot just look for work elsewhere.

And showing up to work is expected, but it must be depressing to show up for a show that you know you won't be having a chance to put on? I dunno... just my thoughts.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:00pm

Strikes hurt a lot of people other than the parties involved -- actors, wardrobe, hair and makeup people, ushers, concession workers, box office personnel, plus restaurant workers (cooks, waiters, bartenders), retail workers, cab drivers, etc.....

And yes, it's a shame, but there's little than can be done. Actor's Equity (as well as most of the other theatrical unions) have announced their solidarity with Local One and have even encouraged their members to join the picket lines. Understand, that part of the reasoning behind that may be that Equity's contract with the League is up next year and I'm sure Equity is assuming that its gesture now in supporting Local One will be returned by the stagehands next year, if need be, when the actors have their own renogotiation with the League. Similarly, four years ago when the League threatened to bring in computer-simulated orchestra programs to replace the musicians, that issue was quickly put to rest when the actors refused to perform with those programs and joined the musicians in solidarity in the strike against the League.

All the unions seem to support each other in these situations and that support will continue until there's a resolution to this strike (mind you, as more actors, musicians and other theatre professionals continue to suffer financially while they're out of work, you can be sure that their unions will privately be putting pressure on Local 1 to settle this dispute ASAP).

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:03pm

Are the actors getting unemployement or payment out of a strike fund?

I guess I would question why they would get unemployement since they truly are not showing up for work since they will not cross the picket line.
Updated On: 11/14/07 at 03:03 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:06pm

According to a couple of posters at ATC, in NY State you can't collect unemployment benefits due to a strike until the strike has gone on for 7 weeks or more. The strike pay is there to get them through the 7 week period.

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:08pm

Thanks, MargoChanning, for pointing out that there are a lot of us out of work now, not just actors. I am not judging anyone, but some people are forgetting that theatre is not only actors & stagehands. Anyway, I appreciate it.

[treyisthekiller]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:15pm

I was under the impression that the casts were still making there full paychecks which is why the industry was losing roughly 17 million a day?

You someone said, it's NOT their strike.

[Pippin]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:20pm

nope. They have to show up to the theater at half hour, stay till showtime to show they are/were willing to work, and if they do that, they will recieve $405/week, payed by Equity's strike fund reserve, not the producers of the shows.

Updated On: 11/14/07 at 03:20 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:23pm

No, the League is NOT paying the salaries of any show personnel (actors, musicians, et al) during the duration of the strike. All of them will have to rely on strike funds, unemployment or their own savings until this is over (some are getting temp jobs in the mean time).

That $17 million figure is something I think the mayor's office or somebody came up with as the total the entire city -- including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, tourism bureau et al -- is losing during the stoppage.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 3:28pm

The producers have no income and still have a lot of expenses. Their own staffs, and expenses that are ongoing no matter what - theater rental, press, attorneys, office space, etc.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:01pm

With the shows canceled, I assumed the actors would no longer have to sign in at half hour, but I was just informed that out of support for the strike, they still have to? How does that work if there is no show?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:03pm

I assume they sign in with their stage manager or union deputy, right?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:05pm

They don't have to show up and sign in.

But if they want to be paid, then it is highly recommended.

They have to prove that they were ready and able to work and it is not their fault that they could not perform.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:05pm

Rathnait, love the pic. "Center Stage" is an excellent movie. :-P

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:14pm

An excellent bad movie.

I thought the union was requiring them to sign in? Is that not true? If they're not required to, what's the point?

[markymatt]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:16pm

The actors have to show up at half hour and sign in. They stay until "curtain" time at which time they are allowed to leave, but encouraged to stay. The reason for signing in is that the union is going to make a case to the producers (and possibly an arbitrator) that they did show up ready and willing to work--although the AEA supports Local 1, there is no sympathy strike. AEA is not overly optimistic that they will receive money from the producers, but that's not going to stop them from trying.

Like others have said (but I feel the urge to repeat it), there is a strike fund that AEA would (hopefully not will) pay over the seven week period that the actors have to wait before they can collect unemployment. If the strike were to last past the seven week waiting period, the actors would then be encouraged to register for unemployment and would not receive any more strike funds. The two amounts are comparable.

The house staff (who generally make less than 1/3 of what the chorus members get) are SOL until the shows reopen.

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:21pm

They would have no claim against the producers since even though they did show up for work, they would not cross the picket line. They would not perform if the producers asked them to, so as I see it they would not have a claim.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:23pm

Thanks, Marky, although I think it should then be a true requirement, otherwise how much does it mean?

Why would they be encouraged to stay after curtain? Are they even allowed in the theaters? Are they supposed to hang around outside for three hours?

paphillyguy, as I understand it, this isn't a claim against the producers. This is so the union will pay them out of the strike funds for showing up.

Updated On: 11/14/07 at 04:23 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:32pm

What about actors who usually have a car and driver? Are the producers still paying for that, or do they have to take a subway/cab right now?

[markymatt]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:34pm

Rathnait62--I typed that quickly and left out some info. The actors are encouraged to stay and show their support for Local 1--hand out flyers or what-have you.

Paphillyguy--you are probably correct that they would not perform if the producers asked them to, but it is an assumption; there is no way to prove it. Having the actors sign in does prove that they showed up for work. Like I said, chances are they will not see a dime, but there's no harm in covering all your bases.

There is a representative from AEA assigned to each theatre and the actors sign in with them.
Updated On: 11/14/07 at 04:34 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:36pm

The union reps the actors are signing in with are outside the theaters, in front of the picket lines -- not inside -- so no actors are crossing the picket line to sign in.

Updated On: 11/14/07 at 04:36 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:37pm

Thanks, guys.

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 4:42pm

Also, the 7 week waiting period for unemployment benefits applies to the people ON strike, not the people affected by the strike. If you're considered an "innocent bystander" and the strike shuts down your job--but you and your union are not actually on strike yourself--you're eligible for regular benefits with the usual waiting period. So if you're Local One you'll be waiting; if you're AEA or AFM you can probably apply now.

Not that it's great, mind you...I think the cap on NYS unemployment is $400 AND it's taxed. Even with a strike fund it's hard to meet the rent on that.