EGN NEWS DESK
The labor union representing stagehands went on strike Sunday towards Atlantic Theater Company in Manhattan, prompting the small however prestigious nonprofit to postpone two productions that had already begun performances and to warn that union calls for might drive the closing of the Atlantic and different Off Broadway nonprofits.
Both the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the labor union, and the Atlantic stated negotiations had damaged down, however either side blamed the opposite for the stalemate. The strike comes at a time when many nonprofit theaters across the nation are operating deficits and going through severe monetary challenges, but in addition at a time when the labor motion nationally has been emboldened and insistent on higher pay and dealing circumstances. Actors’ Equity, the labor union representing stage performers, stated it supported the stagehands.
The Atlantic canceled Sunday matinee and night performances of two new performs, “Grief Camp” and “I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan,” each of which started previews final week. The Atlantic stated Sunday the productions can be postponed indefinitely.
The dispute has broad ramifications for Off Broadway nonprofits, which have for many years nurtured lots of the nation’s most acclaimed theater artists and reveals. Off Broadway crew members haven’t historically been unionized, however the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has been engaged on organizing them, and the Atlantic’s crew voted in February of 2024 to hitch the union.
The union, in an announcement, accused the Atlantic of stalling negotiations on their first contract and stated it had filed unfair labor apply complaints towards the corporate with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the corporate of failing to barter in good religion.
“Atlantic Theater’s refusal to discount pretty has left the crew no alternative however to strike,” the union’s worldwide president, Matthew D. Loeb, stated within the assertion. “We are ready to renew negotiations as quickly as Atlantic Theater is able to discount in good religion.”
The theater issued its personal assertion, describing itself as “pro-union” and saying it had made beneficiant provides, however warning that the union’s calls for might weaken Off Broadway establishments.
“We have supplied an excellent religion settlement with almost a 20% enhance in wages and different advantages,” the corporate stated.
The firm additionally stated, “Most of Off Broadway is going through a precarious monetary scenario, operating vital deficits since getting back from Covid. If IATSE is profitable in getting their proposed financials with Atlantic, it might set a precedent for different Off Broadway corporations and we might even see the demise of a few of our best establishments, together with Atlantic.”
The Actors’ Equity assistant government director Calandra Hackney issued an announcement of assist for the stagehands, saying “Actors’ Equity Association stands in solidarity with these staff,” including, “We have full religion that IATSE is negotiating phrases which might be honest and applicable for his or her members, and we look ahead to the reveals resuming when an settlement has been reached.”
