The Numbers Behind The Strike

[GreatBlancoWay]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 12:42am

Many people have been confused about the real figures earned by the stagehands. Here are the actual terms from most recent Local 1 Contract, which expired this past summer:

For 8 shows:
Heads (A-rate): $1,602.22
Assts, incl. Flyman (B-rate): $1,413.66
C-Rate: $1,335.10
D-Rate: $1,225.42

Hourly:
A-Rate: $56.26
B-Rate: $46.43
C-Rate: $42.32
D-Rate: $38.05

SAMPLE SALARY / HEAD CARPENTER
For a Head Carpenter working 8 shows (including Sunday Matinee) plus a preset hour plus a 4-hour work or rehearsal call each week:
$1,602.22 Base Salary
$ 450.08 8 Preset Hours
$ 225.04 4 hour work call
$ 100.92 Sunday Premium
$2,378.24 SUBTOTAL
$ 225.93 Vacation Pay (9.5%)
$2,604.17 TOTAL GROSS EARNINGS PER WEEK
**For 50 weeks of work, this totals $130,208.50

In addition, this Head Carpenter would receive each week:
1. A 14% Annuity Fund contribution: $364.58
2. A 7% Pension Fund contribution: $182.29
3. A 13.5% Welfare Fund contribution: $351.56
Also, the show has to pay the theatre a payroll tax charge of 18% ($468.75). So the total cost burden to the employer is $3,437.50 per week [178,750.00 per year].


SAMPLE SALARY / HEAD PROP MAN
For a Head Prop Man working (a) 8 shows (including Sunday Matinee) plus (b) a preset hour plus (c) a 4-hour work or rehearsal call each week plus (d) mopping plus (e) a piano move each week:
$1,602.22 Base Salary
$ 450.08 8 Preset Hours
$ 225.04 4 hour work call
$ 100.92 Sunday Premium
$ 450.08 Mopping (8 mops X 1 hour each)
$ 225.04 Piano Move (2 hours move out, 2 hours move in)
$3,053.38 SUBTOTAL
$ 290.07 Vacation Pay (9.5%)
$3,343.45 TOTAL GROSS EARNINGS PER WEEK
**For 50 weeks of work, this totals $167,172.55

In addition, this Head Prop Man would receive each week:
1. A 14% Annuity Fund contribution: $468.08
2. A 7% Pension Fund contribution: $234.04
3. A 13.5% Welfare Fund contribution: $451.37
Also, the show has to pay the theatre a payroll tax charge of 18% ($601.82). So the total cost burden to the employer is $5,098.76 per week [$265,135.52 per year].


Hopefully this will help cut through the various figures that are being thrown around by the League and the Union.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 12:45am

Thanking you kindly.

A very insightful and rather interesting read.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 3:28pm

bump

[fengshuihellnyc]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 3:35pm

Sickening!!! Simply Sickening!

Whine like the B!t@hes you are Local 1

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:22pm

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:32pm

Any numbers on how many minorities they employ?
Blacks, Asian, Women?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:35pm

Why shouldn't the heads of departments working in the apex of theatre make good wages? Those aren't the breakdowns for all of the crew.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 5:00pm

Thanks jrb_actor...

These are the numbers for a handful of people in each venue who are 'house heads' and have nothing to do with what producers pay for everyone else. I didn't realize that Local One was being tried in the court of public approval for making decent wages or how many whites or blacks or purples are working as stage hands. The issue of the hour is the producers REDUCING the existing wages and conditions. Not the union asking for more... Not the producers offering to lower ticket prices for consumers in exchange for reduction in crew costs... the producers asking for cuts in established conditions and wages so that they can make more money and the people who work in the theatre can make less. Let's not complain that house heads make that much money, let's raise the wages of teachers and nurses and baristas. Why should we lower the bar? Wages and wealth for all but a select few in this country are shrinking and this will not be reversible unless people stand up and say NO.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 5:01pm

Thanks for the soapbox... Updated On: 11/21/07 at 05:01 PM

[leko2]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 5:05pm

So I just crunched these numbers that you have listed real quick and what I came out to was a gross of $2378.26/wk. Multiply that by 50 weeks a year and it's $118,913.00. The vacation pay is a predetermined bonus based on a percentage of what you make and should be included with annuity, pension, and health and welfare. Everyone should keep in mind that these are the numbers for the heads of departments, not the average stagehand. This is also assuming that heads work all 8 shows and that there is a 4 hour work call during that week.

It might be me, but I don't think you've properly explained the "payroll tax," which is something that every employer has to pay regardless. Updated On: 11/21/07 at 05:05 PM

[leko2]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 5:38pm

Actually, now that I think of it and please correct me if I'm wrong, hasn't the league already stated that they want to give the stagehands a raise? Why do these numbers even matter? Unless my memory has suddenly started failing, neither side has once disputed wages.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 8:24pm

I'm glad I bumped this thread because it is purely informational and deals in simple facts. I have no problem with these numbers, as I feel that someone working at the top of his/her profession should be compensated well.

[Mooo]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 9:26pm

It's funny that a low-level analyst at a Wall Street firm can get a $2,000,000 bonus and no thinks ill of it but if a stagehand working at the pinnacle of the theater business breaks $100,000 for working 60-70 hour a week he's a money grubbing demon.

What a strange strange world!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 10:00pm

Amen.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 10:03pm

Well the biggest surprise being that this is the salary one makes if you work a full year. The very highest pay grade. Very few do and the show will make millions.

Why am I not surprised to see the disgruntled Teacher here. As if these Stagehands live in Minnesota or something!

It is not worth trying to teach you. If you really care read back a few days. The work has been explained in increments. Maybe you should check a book out of the Library to start?

If you Stagehands get to keep at least what you had before the strike don't just give generously to your local College Fund. Check up and make sure it really is the College that offers your kids a decent Education.

Thanks goodness my kids have all Graduated, finally. Now you know one of the reasons why some of us kids acted up in the classroom. In my case, boredom.

[NYAgent]

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

I have not seen anyone point out yet the cost of living in NYC. People have brought it up but according to many websites, the average one bedroom apartment in NYC goes for $2500 a month($2553.to be exact), that is $30,000. a year. For a one bedroom. Goes up if you have a family and need more space. Not including utilities, etc.

They also state that if you make $50,000. a year in Pittsburgh, you will have to make $97,000. a year in NYC to have equal standard of living.

(this was according to CNN.com-financial)

[dreamz]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 10:50pm

It really shouldn't matter what the stage hands are making. Especially when ticket prices are as high as $450.

[jrb_actor]

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

Amen Amen Amen!

No one would quibble the salaries of KC or Idina--nor should they. Those women are worth their weight in gold. So should the men that skillfully allowed these women and their replacements to defy gravity, whether bubble or broom.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 11/22/07 at 12:04am

Very well put JRB.