IATSE_1st2017_web

owned property.
The IA was able to utilize the political
connections it has fostered in the state to
help organize workers at the 2016 Airbnb
Open. Vice President Miller noted that,
as a result of their travels, entertainment
industry workers are some of the largest
users of Airbnb.
The West Coast Office services over
two dozen local unions that are outside of
the film and television industry. Recently,
International Representatives Marley and
Garcia offered bargaining, organizing, and
other assistance to Local B-192. The Office
has also provided assistance to other B
Locals, including B-66, B-32, and B-18, as
well as various stage and mixed Locals.
Vice President Miller praised the work
of the hard-working staff in the West Coast
Office. In 2016, the staff participated in
charity fundraising, marches, rallies, and
other events. The West Coast Office has become
known for its ability to put “boots on
the ground” in support of important causes.
Finally, Vice President Miller reported
on a labor peace agreement that has been
reached on the construction of the new
football stadium in Los Angeles.
President Loeb thanked Vice Presidents
Miller and Davis, and International
Representative Marley for their report, and
remarked on the wide variety of activities
engaged in by the West Coast Office.
LOCAL NO. 2,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Re: Activities
International Vice President Craig
Carlson and International Trustee Thomas
Cleary appeared before the Board to
report on Local 2’s continuing fight with
JAM USA to organize the Riviera, Vic and
Park West Venues.
JAM USA
Vice President Carlson reported that
since the Board’s meeting in San Francisco,
Local 2 had filed authorization cards and
had won an NLRB election to represent
stagehands at the Riviera, Vic and Park
West music venues. The NLRB also found
merit in an unfair labor practice charge
against JAM’s firing of fifty stagehands
who signed representation cards. JAM
settled that charge by issuing all affected
workers back pay and re-hiring them; JAM
was also to begin bargaining with Local 2.
JAM refused to set bargaining dates
and instead, it appealed the election results
to the NLRB Regional Director. The appeal
was dismissed. JAM appealed the dismissal
to NLRB Headquarters in Washington,
D.C. and it began to hire people ahead of
some with seniority and who had signed
authorization cards. JAM engaged in other
obstructionist behavior by placing bicycle
racks in front of their venues to prevent
Local 2’s ongoing bannering effort. Local
2 prepared more ULP charges and coordinated
their filing with a rally in front of
JAM’s office.
An organization named “Arise Chicago”
joined Local 2 in its efforts on behalf of
the workers. “Arise Chicago” represents the
entire Chicagoland Religious Community
with a membership that includes more
than 600 Reverends, Ministers, Rabbi’s,
Priests, Pastors and other religious leaders.
Vice President Carlson showed to the
Board, a video of Local 2’s Halloween Day
Rally with Arise Chicago. The rally brought
Local 2 helpful publicity and it was covered
by the press.
The NLRB has since dismissed JAM’s
appeal of the NLRB Regional Director’s
decision. The Regional NLRB has found
merit in Local 2’s charge against JAM for
giving work to replacement workers and
has set a trial date of February 6, 2017.
The Regional NLRB has also found merit
in Local 2’s charge against JAM for barricading
the sidewalk to interfere with their
protests and set a trial date of March 8,
2017.
Vice President Carlson reported that
a “Wage Theft” charge was filed in Federal
Court against JAM USA by Local 2’s bargaining
unit members. A trial date has yet
to be set. Last year “Arise Chicago” successfully
lobbied Cook County and the City of
Chicago for stronger “Wage Theft” Laws so
now Illinois Circuit Court Judges have an
option to revoke every city and county license,
including liquor licenses, from those
convicted of “Wage Theft”.
Aragon Ballroom
The Aragon Ballroom opened in 1926,
has a capacity of 3,224 and is currently
leased by Live Nation to present concerts.
The JAM crew that Local 2 is organizing
also works most concerts at the Aragon
Ballroom. Upon proof of Local 2’s majority
status at the Aragon Ballroom, Live
Nation voluntarily recognized the Aragon
Crew. Local 2 and Live Nation reached a
five-year deal covering the Local’s traditional
work at the Aragon Ballroom,
including wage increases, premium payments,
health and retirement benefits
holidays, meal, grievance and arbitration,
recording / broadcast fee, Union Security-
Dues Check-Off and Successor language.
This effort brought Local 2 a music
venue that for forty years operated nonunion
and the Local gained twelve new
members. This agreement was unanimously
ratified.
FIRST QUARTER 2017 59