Sunday, September 04, 2011
Locked-out IATSE Local 58 stage technicians to begin picketing St. Lawrence Centre on Labour Day
INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 58: The union that represents the recently locked-out stage technicians at Toronto's St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts will begin picketing on Monday, September 5, which is Labour Day. The picketing coincides with the first performance to be held at the Centre since management initiated the lock-out on August 13.
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3 comments:
I think it's too bad that there's not more about the theater's perspective in this article. It's important for the organization to respect the people who provide the labour that makes its productions possible, but the IA tends to be very quick to picket. There is also a lot more to union contracts than just wages, so I don't think that it's fair of the union to tell patrons that the theater produces shows that nobody wants to see and hires incompetent people instead of union people. It's hard for a lot of competent people to get into the union, and there are incompetent people in the union.
We need more information about the other end of the argument.
I agree with Daniel here, there is a lot of unnecessary mudslinging going on by both parties. I think it makes the union look bad to state the theatre is unwilling to accept their proposal even though they have made the requested cuts. One does wonder with the arts economy still suffering, how many more drastic measures like strikes and lockouts will occur. There are admittedly high costs in getting union workers, but with that comes the benefit of having some of the highest skilled workers in the field. While, as Daniel said there are some less-than-talented members of the union, there is an overall benefit to their involvement. Some Broadway tours are going non-AEA in these tough money days, I wonder if theatres will start dropping their IA contracts as ways to save money if negotiations don't improve.
When things like this happen it is a sad day for theater for everyone. I agree with Daniel that we need the other side of the story but it all comes back to the countries financial situation. Everyone whats someone to blame for their difficulties. The patrons aren't coming in, this must be the organization's ect. It is sad that the tough times are raising tensions and forcing divides. Not just in theater but everywhere.
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