NEW YORK, Nov. 4 - Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, the stagehands' union at Radio City Music Hall, is going public about the real reason the American Federation of Musicians' Local 802 are not performing in the orchestra pit of Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular.
James Dolan, head of Cablevision and owner of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular,
wants David Lennon, president of the musicians' union, to apologize for what Mr. Dolan sees as lies
presented to the public on the web, in press interviews, paid radio announcements and at a union rally held last week in front of Radio City Music Hall.
(But first, a crucial clarification: The Rockettes did NOT WALK OUT in support of the musicians
union. They could not. They have a "no strike, no lockout contract." Breaking their contract could cause the loss of benefits, let alone their jobs.
So, when the musicians put up a picket line Wednesday and Local One honored it, two shows were
cancelled and everyone went home. Only Local One honored the picket line.)
It has been alleged by Cablevision that before David Lennon spoke to a crowd of his members,
politicians, and supporters on Wednesday, October 26, Cablevision had withdrawn all its requests to change
work rules and overtime and offered a contract with 1.5% the first year and 2% the second year. The
withdrawal of the onerous work rules may have taken place as early at October 6, but that can't be verified at this time.
Therefore, Cablevision views Mr. Lennon as having made misrepresentations at the October 26 rally
and on subsequent days. In addition, those sharing the podium with him at the rally were unaware that
Cablevision had withdrawn its most onerous demands by that time. Later, the leaders of all the unions heard Mr. Dolan state that the reputation of his companies and of his 20,000 employees have been smeared by Mr. Lennon's statements and will remain smeared until Mr. Lennon statements are reversed.
Suspecting that neither side would move toward agreement, James J. Claffey, president of Local One,
offered to act as mediator. "There are 300 jobs at stake in Radio City Music Hall as well as children who
want to see Santa Claus and the Rockettes," Mr. Claffey said.
Mr. Claffey asked James Dolan to intervene and attend a meeting October 28 with David Lennon,
which he did, saying that he'd attend out of the respect he had for Local One, the other unions in the
Cablevision company, and IATSE President Thomas C. Short.
At the meeting, Mr. Dolan, at the urging of Mr. Claffey, agreed to double his wage offer to the
musicians to 3% the first year and 4% the second year in addition to a rollover of the existing contract.
Mr. Dolan did, however, add one new demand: a public and published letter of apology for the
misrepresentations that Mr. Dolan calls "lies" made at the rally and continuing to be made in the press and in paid union announcements. He wanted the apology published in the New York Post and/or the Daily
News.
Over the weekend, Mr. Claffey made attempts to soften Mr. Dolan's request, but the musicians' union
continued to run ads and make statements that were clearly not factual. Mr. Dolan, hearing and reading those statements, refused to budge.
The members of the orchestra failed to report for rehearsal on Sunday, October 30, and the show
rehearsed with out them. Management said they would not let the musicians return without a contract.
By Monday, October 31, Mr. Claffey was inform by Mr. Lennon that he had agreed to all terms on
the table and would try to write a letter to satisfy Mr. Dolan. Mr. Claffey requested a meeting on November 2 with all parties and with other Radio City Music Hall unions' representatives observing. Mr. Dolan would not accept a letter offered by Mr. Lennon because it did not contain the phrase "I lied."
Mr. Lennon called for his members to set up a picket line on Wednesday, November 2, and Local
One honored it. Two shows were cancelled.
On Thursday, we were informed by Mr. Lennon that there would be no picket lines. There were no
picket lines to honor, and all the unionized workers were at work at Radio City Music Hall.
"We are ready to play unconditionally and immediately, but apparently we've been locked out,"
David Lennon told the Associated Press Thursday. "We took the picket signs down, and we did it for all
the audience members and all of New York."
A musicians' union source was quoted in Thursday's New York Post as saying "Radio City
Entertainment and Local 802 had reached an agreement before the Wednesday night drama -- but, for some
reason, management did not sign off on it."
"We at Local One are 1000% union, and so are the other unions," said Mr. Claffey. "There are 300
jobs at stake as well as the loss of pension and health coverage for all cast and crew. Keeping the musicians out of the building is a single matter of one public letter of apology that admits to lying as requested by Mr. Dolan."
"Somebody has to make a sacrifice. Somebody has to do it now," Mr. Claffey concluded. Local One
is faced with a crucial sacrifice of its own. "Local One would have to make a decision to honor a picket line that will sacrifice jobs, pension and health coverage for 300 people or cross it and sacrifice the union's credibility, values, and honor as proud members of organized labor."
"Mr. Lennon or Mr. Dolan can make a sacrifice. Because if the musicians put up another picket line
and Local One honors it, the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, as Mr. Dolan has guaranteed,
is finished for this year and everybody is out of work, most lose their health benefits for the year, and the children of New York City will miss Santa and the Rockettes this holiday season."
"The time for sacrifice is now," said Mr. Claffey.
11/04/05 3:43pm
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