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178 Off-Broadway theatre workers join IATSE in massive majority ‘Yes’ vote. This is a historic movement for all involved in the industry and could inspire other Off-Broadway theatre workers to similarly join in. With the results being announced just a mere few days after Off-Broadway’s show Titaníque, this could potentially be the start of a massive movement for all Off-Broadway workers.
The Atlantic Theatre Company was originally founded by student artists in 1985. Since opening nearly 40 years ago, they have become a Tony winning Off-Broadway company with 178 crew members across their two venues. The election results consisted of a 73% turnout, with 129 votes for ‘Yes’ and only 1 vote for ‘No’. These results were confirmed by the official National Labor Relations Board. This is a landmark as they have officially become the first major not-for-profit Off-Broadway Theatre group to unionise with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
The crew members from the Atlantic Theatre Company consisted of electrics, scenic, carpentry, props, audio, hair/makeup, video, and wardrobe departments. Unlike Broadway, the majority of Off-Broadway productions and company houses are largely non-unionised and underrepresented. Following this decision, it is expected that similar companies and productions will pursue union representation.
When a company or production unionises, workers gain significant benefits such as raised salaries, health benefits, and the ability to bargain as a collective group. This also allows workers to raise awareness of the importance of their jobs within the companies and productions.
An IATSE Representative, Dan Little, gave a statement to the public saying:
“There is a growing movement of entertainment workers off-Broadway joining in unions. All work has dignity and the production workers at The Atlantic Theater Company are showing their community how to stand up for themselves and demand the respect that comes with a union.”
Across the Atlantic Theatre Company’s two venues they have produced over 200 plays, several of which in recent seasons have gone on to open their curtains on Broadway including Between Riverside and Crazy, the Tony Award-winning production of Spring Awakening, Hangmen, and Days of Wine and Roses. The Linda Gross Theatre seats 199 audience members and their black box theatre seats 99.
The Atlantic Theatre Company crew members marched down to the New York City NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) offices to hand deliver their election ballots in voting on whether or not to join a union. Stage Carpenter Michael Stevens gave his public statement on the matter:
“This is a monumental step forward towards improving pay, conditions, and stability for freelance theatre workers in New York City and across the country. I’m immensely grateful to my fellow workers for supporting the effort to unionise the Atlantic, as well as to the organising committee for our shared, tireless commitment to this campaign. We look forward to bargaining for the benefits — such as healthcare — that we all deserve!”
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive in her work. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020, and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending some time on tour. Drew's favorite by far though, has been the chance to work on Broadways and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry.
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