Sunday, November 02, 2008
Neil Young cancels picketed L.A. concert
Reuters: "'I am extremely disappointed to have to choose between satisfying my fans or backing my brothers and sisters of the IATSE,' Young said in a statement issued late on Wednesday."
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4 comments:
Interesting. I wonder why Neil Young is an IATSE member. This article also doesn't mention why IATSE was picketing. It's surprising though that Neil Young feels enough connection to IATSE to cancel a concert because I'm sure that costs him a significant amount.
Young should be applauded. Its good to see someone with as big of an influence and a following as Mr. Young taking a stand for IATSE. All too often do "stars" take stage workers for granted. I too wonder what the circumstances of the picket were -- why the contract is disputed. I assume he must have stood for the cause as well.
I wish the article said why the union was picketing the concert. I'm glad he respected the union, but also alarmed at how often we hear stories here of labor disputes (often without clear basis) really adversely effecting audiences and thus our industry.
I think thats pretty cool of Mr. Young to do that. Artists standing by the unions just brings that much more power to the bargaining table during the dispute for IATSE. Of course you could also counter argue that it's another way to tip the scales in an unfavorable way but still i applaud Mr. Young's decision to stand by the people that make his shows happen.
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