The Strike May Get Worse- Page 3

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 8:13am

Updated On: 11/21/07 at 08:13 AM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 8:32am

Ok, I'm sorry, just because you see people that you assume to be stagehands hanging around outside with nothing to do, doesn't mean they aren't needed for that day's work.

Say for example I work merchandise at a Broadway show - I get there at 6:30 to set up and leave at 11:30 after counting out. From 8-9 and from 9:15-10:15 I'm mostly doing nothing but twiddling my fingers since the show is going on and my customer base is inside being entertained. Should I only be paid for 3 hours instead of the 5 I'm there?

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 8:53am

"if I'm doing a load-in at a theatre and I think there's a chance I might get a job on the running crew for that show I may ask to be allowed to go do the next load-in instead. It just adds one more level of uncertainty to the employment situation. "

Bugmenot, I hear you, but honestly, that's PART of the job. Every job has some sort of uncertainty that goes with it and each person takes a gamble with their decisions.

Shesamarshmallow...I think you've misunderstood the point I'm trying to make. Yes I understand that everyone has some "down time" in their job on a daily basis.

The point I am trying to make is that if a stagehand is only needed to set up and get the show up and running (during rehearsals and previews) and not needed for the length of it's run, the producers should not be required to keep that stagehand.

It's almost like temp work I did right after graduating from college. I was given an assignment and told it would last for a month. Then, I completed said assignment in three weeks, and was let go because there was nothing left for me to do. Did the company keep me on just so I wouldn't have to go out and find another job? No. Were they able to use me somewhere else, doing a completely different job? No. I was let go because they didn't need me anymore.

This is how the rest of the normal working world works.

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 9:47am

Wicked -
Just WHO is the audience that is going to buy those higher priced tickets? It sure isn't going to be the kids who were promised a wonderful trip to see Little Mermaid, or the Grinch, or any of the other shows that made this Christmas special for them. The only people who can afford those prices are the older, established people and by the time those kids reach that age, it'll be too late.

This whole thing makes me sick. You may see the 'future' as the end of this year, or next year, or the next 5 years. I'm looking a lot farther down the line and I just don't see it. The kids I've seen and talked to are hurt and disgusted and just don't want to try it again. I can't blame them.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 10:46am

I have cried myself to sleep EVERY NIGHT since the 10th and the mere thought that Broadway is dark and dying is more than I can bare.

Okay, you have GOT to be kidding me. That HAS to be an exaggeration. Get a friggin GRIP. Those of us directly impacted by the strike aren't even reacting in such a way. Suck it up and move the hell on. Be upset about it if you want -- we're all upset -- but crying yourself to sleep every night since the strike? Give me a break.

[AngActing]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 10:52am

>> Get a friggin GRIP. Those of us directly impacted by the
>> strike aren't even reacting in such a way. Suck it up and
>> move the hell on. Be upset about it if you want --
>> we're all upset -- but crying yourself to sleep
>> every night since the strike? Give me a break.

I'm with you! And geez, people, it's not going to close down Broadway forever! Talk about over-exaggeration, please. It will be up and running after November 25th or soon thereafter, and if anyone in any union involved has a heart, and a brain and an adult attitude -- before friggin' Christmas.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 11:36am

EponineAmneris - If it is truly more than you can bare, then I suggest you put some clothes back on.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 11:47am

"I have cried myself to sleep EVERY NIGHT since the 10th and..."

Oh my, talk about drama.

[Wilko]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 12:12pm

JordanGirl: Sorry if I was unclear. I meant to say that there is bad will/bad faith negotiation occurring on both sides.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 12:14pm

I have cried myself to sleep EVERY NIGHT since the 10th and the mere thought that Broadway is dark and dying is more than I can bare.

Oh good lord. You're the kind of person who's fun but tiring to be friends with, aren't you?

And bare? Do you sleep naked every night, too? So your PJs don't get tear stains?

[leko2]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 2:49pm

if people are actually crying themselves to sleep because shows in new york are temporarily closed, what do they do when a tv show gets cancelled? or, like this season, they don't start until after the new year? if you are really doing this, then you need to either a) stop living in a fantasy world, b) being 5, or c) both.

[fengshuihellnyc]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 3:29pm

Union stage workers should not make more than teachers. PERIOD. They're pay should be somewhere at about 30 to 38 thousand a year. Due to their strike thats what they are now worth.

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 3:55pm

"Union stage workers should not make more than teachers. PERIOD."

Feng, I think you should write to your Representatives in Congress, and your state and local representatives as well, demanding that they immediately raise your taxes so that teachers can be paid more.

Updated On: 11/21/07 at 03:55 PM

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:09pm

Excuse me for caring about something I thought everyone here on this board cared about.

Pardon me for my typo. I fixed it.

You were all extremely rude.

I don't give a flip about TV shows and I am 33 years old. I don't live in a "fantasy world."

Updated On: 11/21/07 at 04:09 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:17pm

Oh dear.

[leko2]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:18pm

ugh again with the teachers?

yes, teachers are very important and they teach this country math, science, language arts, geography, etc, etc. but you know what, the average major league baseball salary is $2.6 million and what do these guys do other than hit a ball with a stick and run around on some dirt? Why should they get paid more than teachers?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:39pm

Oh goodie! There we go with the "how dare such and such job get paid more than teachers" shriek.

I agree that teachers should be paid better--much better than they are. But like JAG said, BITCH TO THE GOVERNMENT.

Broadway is considered the apex of the theatre world. It brings in billions of dollars all things combined. Why shouldn't the people working on Broadway make good money?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:42pm

Nice edit, EponineAmneris! Couldn't take the heat?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:47pm

But, leko, baseball players bring in the billions for their industry. They deserve to be paid handsomely for that reason.

People also bitch when film and tv stars barter for higher wages. Well--they bring in the money.

And let's not forget that entertainment, whether art or sport, DOES provide a very important need---feeding our souls and hearts. Relieving us from the stresses of the world.

[Taka]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 4:53pm

May I respectfully present my opinion? (waits for someone to quip "no" just to display "cleverness")

Anyways, personally, I don't find anything wrong with Eponine crying over what she percieves as the death of Broadway as we know it. People react to different things in different ways. Also, some see as a threat what other people *don't* see as a threat. It's just human nature. If she wants to cry in her bed, let her and don't belittle her for it. You may not see it as the death of Broadway, but she does, and she has every right to her opinion.

Ok, it's safe to kill me now.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 5:25pm

Teachers who don't like their salary usually become Professors, Principals and Chancellors. They can make a million.

Of course Salespeople should make as much as the Company Executive because they are doing all of the work but until you get your name on the Executives door, you don't get to set the pay rate.

I do wish though this person would stop complaining because they are making Teachers look really bad. If you don't like your salary, get out of Elementary School! It really pays badly. Over time, it isn't the worst job but it is a long road up there. If you don't have a PhD, than what do you expect? Sometimes once you have made tenure, adding to your resume will depend on your pay raises in Teaching.

Again though, since being a Teacher on grade school level is considered the bottom of the rung, with University being at the top, how can anyone, as a Teacher, compare themselves to a top level Engineer or Carpenter if they haven't the skills or work in a Private Industry?

Another hint to this poor person who is embarrassing Teachers in general. Private Schools can pay even more, depending on who is funding them. Just in case you are looking for a bigger pay check without more experience or education. You went to College for five years and still don't know this? How unfortunate. Take an economics class next time, it might help you plan your future.

There is a reason why people say you Teach for the love of it and not for the money. Of course that isn't always true for people like the Superintendent of California. :) She does it for both and makes a good salary as well.

_____________________________________________________________

Now back on topic-

Everything can get worse. This is why all of us wish they would not walk away from the table, until it is resolved.

I do wish people would quit telling the Union to cave when they have the most to lose. Like Mr. Roxy stated, both sides will have to give in and both sides will.

Every time they sit at that table they better ask themselves is it worth shutting down Broadway for this? If not, give in, settle on a two year contract and then hire someone who can handle the negotiations intelligently. I only want to see Technicians fighting with technicians first off. Then, both side better keep looking at that bottom line. There is no such thing as a sure thing on Broadway. Investors need to make better choices in what they invest their money into. They also need to take a more active part in finding good works to put up there that people really will enjoy.

Cutting the throats of those who will work hard for you and get your show up there, looking fabulous and running smartly is not going to keep things spectacular. It could very well diminish the quality of Broadway. Please remember also. These Techs can find work all over the World. They are well trained and experienced. If the League stays out there too long, then yes, Broadway will become some second rate B Movie Production that no really wants to see or work with.

Just like you pay some god awful amount for a good pair of shoes, you pay a lot for the best there is in the business. They are the best because they can afford to be there. Take that away from them and they will be forced to look elsewhere to work their trade. Broadway is either the best there is or it just isn't. It is up to the Investors to finally decide what it is finally going to be like?

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 5:47pm

Fengshui, you are completely missing the point here, which was not to compare salaries of teachers and stagehands...or stagehands with any other profession for that matter.

(Assuming you are a teacher complaining about their salary, you have choices out there....further your education to increase your salary, find a higher paying teacher job, or get out of the profession.)

As a teacher myself, I'm not embarrassed. I will tell you (Fengshui) exactly what I tell my students...think about what you say before you say it. Your post was completely irrelevant and makes the rest of us look like we are whining about our salaries.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 6:28pm

I am a teacher in an NYC school and a member of a union. I support the strike because it is NOT about how much so and so is getting paid. It's about the rights of the working person to have a fair contract negotiated.

I don't look at someone and say, hey, they are getting paid more than me. I don't think some people should be paid the astronomical sums they are paid, but hey, if someone wants to pay them for whatever they do, what could I possibly do about it? Should I complain to the Yankee management about A-rod?

I want to the strike to be settled and I hope it is soon, but stop the "teacher pay" comparisons since I couldn't do the work of a stagehand, nor can he (she) teach reading.

[localonecrew]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 9:35pm

i have a gut feeling that we will be back to work by wed. mat the latest.

just a feeling in the air today.

[bugmenot]

Posted: 11/21/07 at 9:42pm

> I am a teacher in an NYC school and a member of a union. I
> support the strike because it is NOT about how much so and so is
> getting paid. It's about the rights of the working person to have
> a fair contract negotiated.

THANK YOU! Finally somebody gets it!