Local union inks deal with Live Nation, increases wages, benefits for members

A local union has reached a five-year deal with Live Nation for three of its local entertainment facilities, increasing wages and establishing benefits while adding to its own membership.

The Stagehands IATSE Local 8 union has signed three separate collective bargaining agreements for the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pa., the TLA in South Philadelphia and the upcoming Fillmore Philadelphia in Fishtown, according to President Michael Barnes, who said the deal marks the unionization of the three facilities.

Under the agreements, the union was able to secure wage increases, benefit contributions and other protections found in unionized contracts, including termination for just cause, Barnes said.

At the Tower Theater, wages increased by about 14 percent, while the benefits package increased by 11 percent. Wages will increase another 12.5 percent over five years, he said.

TLA employers offered workers a $2 dollar raise to $18 an hour when there was early talk of unionizing, Barnes said. Members received a 12 percent increase in benefits on top of that.

The Fillmore Philadelphia is a new development so there is no existing rate. The union was able to secure a club rate similar to what members would get in other facilities, Barnes said, or between $20 to $23.50.

Live Nation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the agreement.

"It's going to end up sending a clear signal to places … that club workers should be treated with dignity," Barnes said. "These are very skilled individuals. … They should be afforded the protection of these collective bargaining agreements."

There were a number of workers in those facilities that were not part of the union, but are now members, Barnes said, increasing the union's membership by about 10 percent, or about 650 workers. They may have been employed as freelancers prior to joining.

About 36 workers from the Tower Theater and about 16 from the TLA have joined the union. An additional five to 10 freelance workers from the TLA and Fillmore have expressed interest, Barnes said.

Being in a union is a boon for workers not only because of added benefits and protection, but because they will be able to work in other unionized venues in and beyond the city, Barnes said.

"A number of people in the Tower Theater, because of our business schedule in New York with the film and television industry, are going to New York and making significant weekly pay rolls," he said.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal