Four union units at the Kimmel Center represented by the
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have new
contracts. About 300 stagehands, 130 ushers, 15 ticket sellers and three dozen
wardrobe employees will work under a new deal that takes effect Oct. 1 and runs
through Sept. 2019, says Mike Barnes, the chief of IATSE local 8. In exchange
for some changes in work rules and giving up premium rates and guarantees for a
few workers, the union negotiated raises averaging 2.9 percent each year for
five years across all the units, Barnes said.
This round of bargaining was quieter and, at least on the
surface, more harmonious than last time. Three years ago when talks broke down,
IATSE workers went on strike, forcing cancellation of performances at the
Kimmel Center. "This was not done under duress," said Barnes Tuesday.
"There was a very cooperative atmosphere."
The new contract was ratified by stagehands last week,
and while Barnes was unsure of the timing of ratification votes by the other
three units, the new pact is a done deal, he said. "All four have signed
off on it," he said.
Source: Philly.com
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