CMU School of Drama


Friday, February 20, 2015

Concert stagehands protest for a living wage, union contract outside Philips Arena tonight

Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta: If you’re heading to the Maroon 5 concert at Philips Arena tonight, prepare to be greeted by union activists with banners protesting a “Poor Performance.”

Their problem isn’t with the pop-rockers. Rather it's concert promoter Live Nation’s use of local stagehands who are forced to accept what union reps think are “poverty-level” wages for helping to put on such dazzling rock shows.

2 comments:

Brennan Felbinger said...

At this point, I feel like there is very little excuse for such low wages. In 2015, there are a variety of states that have higher minimum wages than this $8.50 per hour, and that doesn't account for the vast differences in the type of work being done. A McDonald's cashier in one state should not be payed more than a stagehand in another state who is working on such a huge show at a large venue like this. When the danger factor is taken into account, the problem is only exaggerated. It's also ridiculous and upsetting to see that the only way to go about changing this is through unions like IATSE, because the state/company itself won't protect the wages of the stagehands. It's a little confusing how a state can instate laws with anti-union sentiments but then not work themselves towards better protections of the workers. If a union isn't doing it, someone has to.

Unknown said...

It’s tough seeing how many people get taken advantage of when it comes to work, and having short term hired hands. Whether it’s the amount you’re getting paid, or just not getting paid at all, the system is a cruel one, and when people think that they can get away with that is just messed up. There was quite a bit of work. When every other city works by the same system, and Atlanta decides to not coincide with everyone else, there are some difficulties that will arise. Sure it’s unfortunate that a Maroon 5 concert was happening, it’s not Maroon 5’s fault, they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but maybe it was needed to show what faults are still out there, and what part of the system needs to be fixed. Sure everyone likes to save money, but not like this, you’re dealing with other people’s livelihoods and their way of supporting their family.