IATSE LOCAL 8 SUSPENDED STRIKE ACTIVITIES AGAINST ELECTRIC FACTORY THIS PAST FRIDAY, APRIL 27, AS LEGENDARY PHILLY BAND, THE HOOTERS LEND THEIR SUPPORT – PHILADELPHIA, PA

— The Stagehands of IATSE 8, who have been on strike against Philadelphia-based Electric Factory Concerts for the past month, having set up picket lines outside the concert venue (located at 421 North 7th Street) over area wages and standards, put their strike on hold, however, during The Hooters concert at the Electric Factory, this past Friday, April 27th, 2013 because the enormously popular and influential band – some of whose members come from families steeped in the labor movement – secured an agreement with IATSE Local 8 stagehands for their Philly shows.

“IATSE Local 8 would like to thank Dave Uosikkinen and the all the members of The Hooters for their support of workers issues,” said Michael Barnes, Business Manager of IATSE Local 8.

Thus the union ceased all picketing, hand billing and social media activities as part of the settlement for last Friday’s Hooters show only.

“IATSE Local 8 looks forward to working with The Hooters on all their future shows in the Philadelphia area in venues that maintain the area standards established by stagehands over the last fifty years” Barnes concluded, “IATSE will be contacting every act scheduled for the Electric Factory to offer a one time pass for their scheduled event. This will prevent any disruption to fans that have already purchased tickets.

Going forward, the union has committed to work with the Hooters and all the acts to bring the best experience to the fans at venues that maintain the area standards. We hope more acts will follow the lead of The Hooters and The Drop Kick Murphy’s (who previously also supported the union) in supporting working men and women.