Pearl Jam's LA Shows To Be Picketed By IATSE Local 33

CrookedLittleVein · November 2013

:( :( :(

http://www.theskyiscrape.com/2013/11/pe ... ed-by.html

"It seems that Pearl Jam, a band that has always been an outspoken advocate for the underprivileged, is being put in the awkward position of having to ask fans to cross a picket line in order to see their shows this weekend, and for that matter, to cross the line themselves.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) will be outside the Los Angeles Sports Arena this Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 7:30pm protesting USC's decision to hire non-union works to staff Pearl Jam's two LA shows this weekend.

“Unfortunately, the crew members that should be inside making sure this concert is safe are going to be out front on the picket line,” IATSE Local 33 Business Manager Mark Madrigal said in the statement. “We’re not asking for additional wages or benefits. All we are asking is that USC honor the contract that has been in place for decades. Instead USC is ignoring our members and its obligation to its neighbors and to our communities and hire cheaper workers to make more money.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz added, “These facilities are owned by the public, and we have a right to expect that our taxpayer dollars will go to support the Los Angeles economy and good jobs, not line the pockets of USC at the expense of our citizens. USC should stand up and be good corporate citizens in this matter and continue the policy that has worked for decades for all parties.”
The band hasn't issued a statement or responded to requests for comments, but surely this development won't sit well with the band who wrote Green Disease and Unemployable. What do you think? Should Pearl Jam take action? Issue a statement? Should fans feel bad for crossing the line?"

High Fidelity 2000 · November 2013

Should fans feel bad for crossing the line? Are you kidding? They (the fans) have nothing to do with this. Let them in to see the show because it is likely to be awesome!

PJ_Soul · November 2013

I wouldn't cross. I'm a union member myself, and just could not do it. So I am really glad that I couldn't get to LA! I'd just end up sitting in the parking lot with the picketers. I hope any 10C member going who is in a union respects the line. I wouldn't expect others to (necessarily.... but they shouldn't either), but any union member who crosses is an asshole and a huge hypocrite.

jw234911 · November 2013

Screw the new corrupt unions Obamas buddys

ST279453 · November 2013

jw234911 wrote:

Screw the new corrupt unions Obamas buddys

Is this supposed to be an actual sentence?? :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

JWPearl · November 2013

Yes

ND83129 · November 2013

This is an interesting quandary. From the post at the top of this thread it sounds like there has been a shift in the behavior and/or agreement between the LA City Council and IATSE. I know how important Unions are (I am a member myself, 7 years running) and picket lines should not be crossed - by anyone; that is how they work. However, I also know how Corruption is the enemy of all people everywhere and it should not be tolerated or honored. I do not know the particulars of this situation, but if Local 33 has allowed themselves to become their own worst liability then it is not LA or the Band or the fans responsibility to respect them, rather it is the members of Local 33 that have an obligation to themselves to weed the corruption out of their own leadership. Green Disease can rear its despicable head anywhere at anytime.

jethrojam420 · November 2013

Usually it depends on the circumstances. I still watched tv during the writer's strike for instance. And NFL players play through the Ref's disagreement. I would say this is not passing the picket line, as PJ isn't doing the striker's job. They should make note of it, and voice their support - but play on.

ST279453 · November 2013

demetrios · November 2013

"The List" & markers for GA line is gonna work so well this weekend in Los Angeles! :thumbup:

PJ_Soul · November 2013

jethrojam420 wrote:

Usually it depends on the circumstances. I still watched tv during the writer's strike for instance. And NFL players play through the Ref's disagreement. I would say this is not passing the picket line, as PJ isn't doing the striker's job. They should make note of it, and voice their support - but play on.

Crossing a picket line is crossing a picket line. The line isn't just for those whose jobs are on the line.... if that were the case, they would be useless. I actually think that PJ shouldn't play, considering their (presumed) position on the matter. They should scramble and find an alternate venue, or reschedule or something (Sorry, I know what that means to people travelling.... But some things are more important than Pearl Jam concerts). Anyway, I realize they aren't going to cancel or move or reschedule, and yes, they will probably give some money to the union... but if they were really interested in walking the talk, they wouldn't cross the lines.... But if they were really interested in walking the talk, they also wouldn't have played that Oracle party and Eddie wouldn't have played an Obama fundraiser. So there you go. I hope at least some fans who support what unions stand for follow their conscience instead of their PJ obsession, but for everyone else, enjoy the show.

Veddernarian · November 2013

LA Forum 2006 all over again. The picketers were out there. I think I remember Ed mentioning something about them, in suppost of them.

Fifi_Ireland · November 2013

there is a lot at stake here for fans aswell as the union. as someone who is planning on travelling half way round the world to see PJ i dont know that i could miss the gig like this. However theres nothing from stopping fans from voicing their support....how about everyone bringing a poster and holding it up for the first song? also I think a boycot of the bars would hit in the stadiums pockets without impacting the gig!

anyway luckily i dont have this dilemma a i wont be in LA but i would hate to see PJ concerts becoming targets because the band/fans will cancel if people picket......but i do appreciate the need for unions and the benefit they bring workers.

SPEEDY MCCREADY · November 2013

On October 3, Ira Alper, former treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees District 9, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to one count of embezzling $76,768 in union funds. He had been charged in August. The district council is based in Madison, Wisconsin, but Alper had committed the theft in Illinois, thus explaining the prosecution occurring in the latter state. The actions follow a probe by the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards.

On February 13, John McNamee Jr., president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 829, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release for embezzling $150,000 from the New York City union. He was indicted last February and pleaded guilty in October following a probe by the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards. McNamee originally had been charged with stealing nearly $250,000 and filing false reports to conceal the thefts. The case is separate from a U.S. Department of Labor civil suit against local pension plan trustees, alleging more than $3 million in illegal transactions and failure to perform due diligence in managing another $11 million in assets.

PJ_Soul · November 2013

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

On October 3, Ira Alper, former treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees District 9, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to one count of embezzling $76,768 in union funds. He had been charged in August. The district council is based in Madison, Wisconsin, but Alper had committed the theft in Illinois, thus explaining the prosecution occurring in the latter state. The actions follow a probe by the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards.

On February 13, John McNamee Jr., president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 829, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release for embezzling $150,000 from the New York City union. He was indicted last February and pleaded guilty in October following a probe by the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards. McNamee originally had been charged with stealing nearly $250,000 and filing false reports to conceal the thefts. The case is separate from a U.S. Department of Labor civil suit against local pension plan trustees, alleging more than $3 million in illegal transactions and failure to perform due diligence in managing another $11 million in assets.

I am not sure what your point is Speedy.... those creeps don't even work for the union anymore. If this is meant to be held over the union, then we should also hold what Rickey Charles Goodrich did with Pearl Jam's money and hold it over the band's head. The members of IATSE are likely the most horrified people when it comes to what Alper and McNamee did, since they are actually the people who got robbed.

SPEEDY MCCREADY · November 2013

While most union workers might only dream of making six-figures per year, stagehands at New York’s Broadway theaters live the dream. Although their jobs are not highly skilled, and consist mainly of moving props, chairs, furniture and the like around a stage, they have the power and willingness to shut down any Broadway theater to get whatever they want come contract negotiation time.

Carnegie Hall, impressive-especially for the salaries of its stagehands.

One union worker, stagehand Dennis O’Connell, who is the props manager at Carnegie Hall, makes $422,599 per year—plus $107,445 in benefits. A New York Times reporter, Daniel J. Wakin, got the information on a 2007-2008 publicly-filed tax return of Carnegie Hall, which listed the theater’s six highest paid employees.

Besides the company’s chief executive, Clive Gillison, who made $946,581, the next five highest paid employees were all stagehands. The lowest-ranked member in the top five was electrician John Goodson, who made $327,257 plus $76,459 in benefits.

Although the stagehands at Carnegie Hall might be the best paid in town, the average pay of all the stagehands at nearby Lincoln Center, including salary and benefits, was $290,000.

The power to charge a business $300,000 to $500,000 for one laborer comes from Local 1, of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, which closed down 39 Broadway theaters in November 2007 for 19 days, causing tens of millions of dollars per week to be lost by theater owners, and the city.

So the next time you visit New York and wonder why all the theater tickets are $150 each or more, now you know at least part of the story

PJ_Soul · November 2013

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

While most union workers might only dream of making six-figures per year, stagehands at New York’s Broadway theaters live the dream. Although their jobs are not highly skilled, and consist mainly of moving props, chairs, furniture and the like around a stage, they have the power and willingness to shut down any Broadway theater to get whatever they want come contract negotiation time.

Carnegie Hall, impressive-especially for the salaries of its stagehands.

One union worker, stagehand Dennis O’Connell, who is the props manager at Carnegie Hall, makes $422,599 per year—plus $107,445 in benefits. A New York Times reporter, Daniel J. Wakin, got the information on a 2007-2008 publicly-filed tax return of Carnegie Hall, which listed the theater’s six highest paid employees.

Besides the company’s chief executive, Clive Gillison, who made $946,581, the next five highest paid employees were all stagehands. The lowest-ranked member in the top five was electrician John Goodson, who made $327,257 plus $76,459 in benefits.

Although the stagehands at Carnegie Hall might be the best paid in town, the average pay of all the stagehands at nearby Lincoln Center, including salary and benefits, was $290,000.

The power to charge a business $300,000 to $500,000 for one laborer comes from Local 1, of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, which closed down 39 Broadway theaters in November 2007 for 19 days, causing tens of millions of dollars per week to be lost by theater owners, and the city.

So the next time you visit New York and wonder why all the theater tickets are $150 each or more, now you know at least part of the story

Don't their salaries reflect how much money is coming into their workplace? It's like professional sports. Do those people actually work so hard that they deserve $10 million a year? Shit no. But since they contribute to bringing in piles of cash, their salaries reflect the earnings of their "company".

So the options are a bunch of well-paid workers, or a shitload of extra money into the pockets of much richer people.... I think option 1 is preferable. It's not like they'd suddenly lower ticket prices if they lowered salaries. They will still charge as much as they can get out of the paying public.

Anyway, are the folks in LA earning $250K a year? I don't think so....

SPEEDY MCCREADY · November 2013

PJ_Soul wrote:

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

While most union workers might only dream of making six-figures per year, stagehands at New York’s Broadway theaters live the dream. Although their jobs are not highly skilled, and consist mainly of moving props, chairs, furniture and the like around a stage, they have the power and willingness to shut down any Broadway theater to get whatever they want come contract negotiation time.

Carnegie Hall, impressive-especially for the salaries of its stagehands.

One union worker, stagehand Dennis O’Connell, who is the props manager at Carnegie Hall, makes $422,599 per year—plus $107,445 in benefits. A New York Times reporter, Daniel J. Wakin, got the information on a 2007-2008 publicly-filed tax return of Carnegie Hall, which listed the theater’s six highest paid employees.

Besides the company’s chief executive, Clive Gillison, who made $946,581, the next five highest paid employees were all stagehands. The lowest-ranked member in the top five was electrician John Goodson, who made $327,257 plus $76,459 in benefits.

Although the stagehands at Carnegie Hall might be the best paid in town, the average pay of all the stagehands at nearby Lincoln Center, including salary and benefits, was $290,000.

The power to charge a business $300,000 to $500,000 for one laborer comes from Local 1, of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, which closed down 39 Broadway theaters in November 2007 for 19 days, causing tens of millions of dollars per week to be lost by theater owners, and the city.

So the next time you visit New York and wonder why all the theater tickets are $150 each or more, now you know at least part of the story

Don't their salaries reflect how much money is coming into their workplace? It's like professional sports. Do those people actually work so hard that they deserve $10 million a year? Shit no. But since they contribute to bringing in piles of cash, their salaries reflect the earnings of their "company".

So the options are a bunch of well-paid workers, or a shitload of extra money into the pockets of much richer people.... I think option 1 is preferable. It's not like they'd suddenly lower ticket prices if they lowered salaries. They will still charge as much as they can get out of the paying public.

Anyway, are the folks in LA earning $250K a year? No.

Ok, in theory.
The guy working the cash register at McDonalds is contributing too.
Should he be making $300k a year?

PJ_Soul · November 2013

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

While most union workers might only dream of making six-figures per year, stagehands at New York’s Broadway theaters live the dream. Although their jobs are not highly skilled, and consist mainly of moving props, chairs, furniture and the like around a stage, they have the power and willingness to shut down any Broadway theater to get whatever they want come contract negotiation time.

Carnegie Hall, impressive-especially for the salaries of its stagehands.

One union worker, stagehand Dennis O’Connell, who is the props manager at Carnegie Hall, makes $422,599 per year—plus $107,445 in benefits. A New York Times reporter, Daniel J. Wakin, got the information on a 2007-2008 publicly-filed tax return of Carnegie Hall, which listed the theater’s six highest paid employees.

Besides the company’s chief executive, Clive Gillison, who made $946,581, the next five highest paid employees were all stagehands. The lowest-ranked member in the top five was electrician John Goodson, who made $327,257 plus $76,459 in benefits.

Although the stagehands at Carnegie Hall might be the best paid in town, the average pay of all the stagehands at nearby Lincoln Center, including salary and benefits, was $290,000.

The power to charge a business $300,000 to $500,000 for one laborer comes from Local 1, of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, which closed down 39 Broadway theaters in November 2007 for 19 days, causing tens of millions of dollars per week to be lost by theater owners, and the city.

So the next time you visit New York and wonder why all the theater tickets are $150 each or more, now you know at least part of the story

Don't their salaries reflect how much money is coming into their workplace? It's like professional sports. Do those people actually work so hard that they deserve $10 million a year? Shit no. But since they contribute to bringing in piles of cash, their salaries reflect the earnings of their "company".

So the options are a bunch of well-paid workers, or a shitload of extra money into the pockets of much richer people.... I think option 1 is preferable. It's not like they'd suddenly lower ticket prices if they lowered salaries. They will still charge as much as they can get out of the paying public.

Anyway, are the folks in LA earning $250K a year? No.

Ok, in theory.
The guy working the cash register at McDonalds is contributing too.
Should he be making $300k a year?

No, but they should earn more than they do. What a shitty, stressful job.
Do you think that a 15 year old at McDonald's is comparable to stagehands?

SPEEDY MCCREADY · November 2013

PJ_Soul wrote:

No, but they should earn more than they do. What a shitty, stressful job.
Do you think that a 15 year old at McDonald's is comparable to stagehands?

Working the cash register at McDonalds is stressful?

You compare stage hands to professional athletes in order to justify their $250K salary?
People pay Big Money to see athletes perform. They don't pay big money to see the cotton candy vendor do his thing.

Stage Hands=Cotton Candy Vendor.

PJ_Soul · November 2013

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

No, but they should earn more than they do. What a shitty, stressful job.
Do you think that a 15 year old at McDonald's is comparable to stagehands?

Working the cash register at McDonalds is stressful?

You compare stage hands to professional athletes in order to justify their $250K salary?
People pay Big Money to see athletes perform. They don't pay big money to see the cotton candy vendor do his thing.

Stage Hands=Cotton Candy Vendor.

Dealing with crowds of McDonald's customers without telling them to go fuck themselves seems incredibly stressful. It seems like an emotionally taxing thing to have to do for 8 hours straight. I know a lot of people who wouldn't last 30 minutes without snapping.

Being a stagehand is a career. They don't just wander around picking shit up and putting it down. I don't think comparing them to cotton-candy vendors is fair (but cotton-candy vendors should earn more too! I think minimum wages are WAY too low for the most part, and I consider them bad for the overall economy). Anyway, yeah, I support a more even distribution of wealth. Yeah, those people are overpaid... but it's either a bunch of them or a couple of filthy rich CEOs or producers or whatever. I'll support the workers getting the money over the fat cats any day.

I'm pretty much a fucking socialist Speedy - what do you expect from me here?

Pearl Jam's LA Shows To Be Picketed By IATSE Local 33

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