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Category Archives: Uncategorized

Stagehands Union Settles Strike at Philadelphia Theatre Company.

Press Release

Dateline:        Philadelphia, PA
Date:             Friday, February 01, 2013, 12:00 pm
Source:           IATSE Local 8 (Stagehands)
Contacts:        Mike Barnes (cell) 215-880-3162
Bob Wolper, (cell) 215-896-2970

The union representing workers at the Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) today announced that they have reached an agreement to settle a two week old strike and have ratified a first contract with the theater company.

Michael Barnes, the President of IATSE Stagehands Local 8, praised the union members who were on strike as well as other Labor allies and community supporters.

“This was not an easy battle. It took the support of our International Union and the community to get this contract. I would like to thank the AFL- CIO and the affiliates who supported us on the picket line as well as the community members who honored the picket line and provided support through social media and letters to PTC management,” said Barnes. “I would also like to thank our International President Matthew Loeb, who marched with us on the picket line and provided extraordinary assistance throughout the campaign, and I would especially like to thank the Local 8 membership who did went out all out to support a bunch of young stagehands who last year we called our competition but today proudly call our union brothers and sisters.”

IATSE Local 8 members had been on strike at the theater company for two weeks and had been trying to get PTC to agree to a first contract with the newly organized group of workers that reflects already existing conditions of work and includes a minimal wage increase consistent with existing industry standards.

“The newly organized Local 8 at the PTC we not asking for much,” said Barnes. “All they were looking for was job security; maintain existing working conditions, health benefits and a decent wage increase.”

Barnes noted that the new contract for stagehands for the PTC is the first contract Local 8 has settled for a theater of this size. The contract has strong language that protects the jobs, maintains and improves conditions that now include overtime after 8 hours in a day and holidays and double time for overnight work. The contract also contains health and retirement contributions for every worker and increases the wages of the workers each year of the agreement.

“This strike was about economic justice,” said Barnes. “The fight for economic justice is as important today as it was when Martin Luther King stood with those sanitation workers in Memphis 44 years ago. With this settlement there will be no strike this weekend at the PTC. The Rat will be somewhere watching the Super Bowl with the rest of the stagehands. But come Monday we will start building on this agreement by taking our message to the other regional theater workers and unrepresented stagehands in the City.”
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Press Advisory – IATSE Local 8 to announce details of contract settlement with Philadelphia Theatre Company –

Date:         Friday, February 01, 2013, 9:30 am
Source:           IATSE Local 8 (Stagehands)
Contacts:        Mike Barnes (cell) 215-880-3162
Bob Wolper, (cell) 215-896-2970

IATSE Local 8 Stagehands will hold a press conference at the Local 8 union office at 2401 South Swanson Street in Philadelphia at 12:00 pm today, Friday February 1, 2013.

The press conference will be held to announce the results of a contract ratification vote on an agreement to settle the strike at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. The tentative agreement was reached in contract negotiations which culminated late last night.

The strike at the Philadelphia Theatre Company has been going on for the last two weeks. Union members will be voting in a ratification meeting at IATSE Local 8 prior to the press conference.

All media are invited to attend.

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AFSCME District Councils 33 and 47 to hold Candlelight Vigil for a Fair Contract at Home of Phila. Mayor Michael Nutter Featuring “The Rat”

Attention Assignment Editors

Dateline: Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, January 31, 2013, 8:30 am
Contact: Kevin Hanes, 412-330-9930
Bob Wolper, 215-896-2970
Sources: AFSCME District Councils 33and 47

They’re Back!
AFSCME District Councils 33 and 47 to hold Candlelight Vigil for a Fair Contract at Home of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

Mayor 1% Nutter continues to refuse to settle fair contracts for the members of AFSCME District Council’s 33 and 47.

In response AFSCME District Councils 33 and 47, representing thousands of City workers, will once again be holding a

Rally for a Fair Contract at 6:30 pm
today, Thursday, January 31, 2013
at the home of
Philadelphia’s own 1% Mayor Michael Nutter,
50th Street and Woodbine Avenue
in the Wynnefield neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Members of District Councils 33 and 47, joined by members of other City unions, religious, social justice and community groups, will be calling on Mayor 1% Nutter to settle Fair Contracts with all City worker unions.

The rally will also feature a giant Rat.

All media are invited to attend.

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Rally at Mayor Nutter’s House

– From AFSCME DISTRICT COUNCIL 33 & 47 –

Philadelphia Works Because We Do!

Keep the Pressure On – Stand and Fight Back!!!

Join AFSCME District Councils 33 & 47
as they continue to take the fight to Mayor 1% Nutter.

Join us as we Rally at Mayor Nutter’s House

When/Where:
Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 6:00pm
Meet at Bryn Mawr & Woodbine Avenues