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STAGECRAFT DEPARTMENT<br />

In 2013, the Stagecraft Department<br />

conducted a survey of all stage Locals in<br />

the Alliance to identify common challenges.<br />

Locals reported that their leading<br />

concerns were non-union competition<br />

(particularly from labor contractors),<br />

lack of organizing resources, the use of<br />

“rate cards” in lieu of comprehensive collective<br />

bargaining agreements, disparate<br />

relationships with multiregional or national<br />

employers, and the acute effects of<br />

various challenges for our smaller Locals.<br />

Consequently, these matters have<br />

greatly informed the administration and<br />

activities of the Stagecraft Department<br />

during the last four years. In that time,<br />

the Department handled 113 assignments.<br />

These included 59 assignments to<br />

assist Locals in contract negotiations, 39<br />

assignments to assist Locals in organizing<br />

drives, and 23 assignments to assist Locals<br />

administratively (with grievance processing,<br />

contract administration, revising<br />

Constitutions, and membership issues).<br />

The following describes the results of<br />

the <strong>IATSE</strong>’s focused approach to these<br />

matters and challenges that persist.<br />

International Contracts<br />

Where appropriate, the IA has<br />

pursued International contracts with<br />

employers operating across multiple<br />

local union jurisdictions. This allows us<br />

to ensure all Locals’ jurisdiction is protected.<br />

Standardized minimum working<br />

conditions are followed and local wage<br />

and benefit standards are imposed. This<br />

approach continues to benefit all stage<br />

Locals. The first and most renowned International<br />

contract is the Pink Contract<br />

covering traveling stagecraft workers.<br />

In March, 2016 the Pink Contract was<br />

renegotiated with The Broadway League<br />

and Disney Theatrical Productions. The<br />

successor contract has a three and onehalf<br />

year term lasting until June 30, 2019.<br />

Contract minimum wages increase each<br />

year in all categories on all tiers (i.e., full,<br />

modified, and SET). Employees’ per diem<br />

payments will increase in each year of the<br />

agreement. Health benefit coverage will<br />

remain the same with no co-payments<br />

by participants. All cost increases associated<br />

with healthcare will be paid by the<br />

employers. The Pink Contract now also<br />

requires employers to provide additional<br />

housing options at each tour stop. Meal<br />

breaks are more plainly defined and<br />

certain travel reimbursements have increased.<br />

Importantly, employees working<br />

on tours that are transitioning between<br />

tiers (Full to Modified, or Full to SET,<br />

or Modified to SET) will have more assurances<br />

over their subsequent pay. In<br />

another notable breakthrough, the new<br />

Pink Contract eliminates eight hours of<br />

work beyond performances that was formerly<br />

required before additional compensation<br />

is required. The new contract<br />

also increased the number of performances<br />

that could be done on a SET tour<br />

within an eight-week period.<br />

Following implementation of the<br />

new Pink Contract, the IA has continued<br />

to monitor overage payments on modified<br />

and SET tours. We regularly conduct<br />

audits to ensure compliance with contractual<br />

overage requirements.<br />

The Non-League Pink Contract<br />

covers five touring companies—NETworks,<br />

Troika, Big League, Phoenix and<br />

Work Light. The first Non-League Pink<br />

Contract, which covered all tours produced<br />

by these companies expired at the<br />

end of June 2016. Separate terms cover<br />

different touring tiers—these are embodied<br />

in the “L” Touring Agreement and the<br />

Bus and Truck Touring Agreement. The<br />

“L” agreement is applicable to tours comparable<br />

to those under the League Pink<br />

Contract. The Bus and Truck contract<br />

covers smaller tours that typically play<br />

split weeks and one night stops.<br />

The successor “L” Touring Agreement<br />

was renewed on terms largely<br />

matching those in the League Pink<br />

Contract. Renewal negotiations for the<br />

Bus and Truck contract were more difficult.<br />

The IA successfully introduced<br />

improved conditions and benefits for<br />

these workers, who often work challenging<br />

schedules on tour. The new contract<br />

includes enhanced wages, per diem, and<br />

travel expenses. It offers more opportunities<br />

for additional earnings and for the<br />

first time, these crews now also receive<br />

annuity retirement benefits.<br />

The International also recently renegotiated<br />

a successor contract with Spectra<br />

Venue Management (formerly known as<br />

Global Spectrum, Inc.) The Spectra contract,<br />

which expired in February 2016,<br />

currently covers thirty-four <strong>IATSE</strong> Locals.<br />

The International contract establishes<br />

minimum terms and each local union has<br />

an addendum establishing its area wages<br />

and benefits (and any other conditions<br />

superior to those contained in the central<br />

contract). The IA successfully negotiated<br />

wage increases of three percent per year<br />

for all covered work. Several local unions<br />

also submitted proposals concerning<br />

their respective venues. Largely, these<br />

issues were resolved.<br />

The Spectra contract is perhaps our<br />

most successful International stagecraft<br />

42 OFFICIAL BULLETIN

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