The labor union representing stagehands went on strike Sunday towards Atlantic Theater Firm in Manhattan, prompting the small however prestigious nonprofit to postpone two productions that had already begun performances and to warn that union calls for may pressure the closing of the Atlantic and different Off Broadway nonprofits.
Each the Worldwide Alliance of Theatrical Stage Workers, the labor union, and the Atlantic mentioned 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 working deficits and going through severe monetary challenges, but additionally at a time when the labor motion nationally has been emboldened and insistent on higher pay and dealing circumstances. Actors’ Fairness, the labor union representing stage performers, mentioned 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 mentioned Sunday the productions can be postponed indefinitely.
The dispute has broad ramifications for Off Broadway nonprofits, which have for many years nurtured most of the nation’s most acclaimed theater artists and reveals. Off Broadway crew members haven’t historically been unionized, however the Worldwide Alliance of Theatrical Stage Workers has been engaged on organizing them, and the Atlantic’s crew voted in February of 2024 to hitch the union.
The union, in a press release, accused the Atlantic of stalling negotiations on their first contract and mentioned it had filed unfair labor apply complaints towards the corporate with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, accusing the corporate of failing to barter in good religion.
“Atlantic Theater’s refusal to cut price pretty has left the crew no alternative however to strike,” the union’s worldwide president, Matthew D. Loeb, mentioned within the assertion. “We’re ready to renew negotiations as quickly as Atlantic Theater is able to cut price in good religion.”
The theater issued its personal assertion, describing itself as “pro-union” and saying it had made beneficiant presents, however warning that the union’s calls for may weaken Off Broadway establishments.
“Now we have provided a great religion settlement with almost a 20% improve in wages and different advantages,” the corporate mentioned.
The corporate additionally mentioned, “Most of Off Broadway is going through a precarious monetary state of affairs, working vital deficits since getting back from Covid. If IATSE is profitable in getting their proposed financials with Atlantic, it will set a precedent for different Off Broadway corporations and we may even see the demise of a few of our best establishments, together with Atlantic.”
The Actors’ Fairness assistant govt director Calandra Hackney issued a press release of assist for the stagehands, saying “Actors’ Fairness Affiliation stands in solidarity with these staff,” including, “Now we have full religion that IATSE is negotiating phrases which might be honest and acceptable for his or her members, and we stay up for the reveals resuming when an settlement has been reached.”
