RESPECT AND FAIRNESS CAN TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON BROADWAY

For the first time in their 121-year history, Stagehands of Local One IATSE have been forced to strike against the League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. This break from an unprecedented history of peaceful labor relations is the in-evitable consequence of an aggressive strategy by the League hawks who insist upon significant and immediate concessions.

Although Local One has been flexible throughout recent negotiations and will-ing to discuss changing long-standing work rules, the League has asked for too much too soon. Apparently failing to appreciate the human impact on working people living in a metropolitan area with an escalating cost of living.

Given Broadway’s record capacities and grosses nearly everyone in the Theatrical Community is united in calling for respect and moderation in balancing the economic needs of workers with the incremental changes that are inevitable as we look forward to extending the Broadway tradition for generations.

Local 802 calls for a quick resolution of this dispute as the suffering it will cause cannot be understated. However the League hawks may rationalize their position, they would do well to remember that as individuals most of them are economically set for life, but the labor stoppage they precipitated will profoundly affect many thousands of workers on Broadway as well as businesses and employees who depend upon Broadway for their income and who many never recover.

It seems incongruous for those at the top of the economic pyramid to push so vigorously for changes that at best may only marginally affect the profitability of Broadway investments at the cost of inflicting the economic pain on those whose economic position and future are increasingly precarious.

Let Thanksgiving be a holiday not a wake. In a strike there are only losers. It follows that in a resolution there should only be winners.

We applaud Local 1 for standing up for themselves, for all the unions and their members, and in an important way even for those in the League who understand the value of relationships and reaching a mutually acceptable accord.

In Solidarity

Local 802 AFM

Local 802 AFM322 W. 48th St, New York, NY 10036, 212-245-4802