In a ballot yesterday, Aug. 30, 90 percent of technicians at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon voted in favour of a strike over job losses. Members of staff at the company's London base at the Barbican, in the City of London, will hold their own vote on the same issue within the next few weeks. There have been talks of staging a strike ever since artistic director Adrian Noble suggested a major reorganization in May. The restructuring of the RSC includes leaving its home at the Barbican in London, holding fewer productions in Stratford and more in London's West End, and cutting back on staff. Under the restructuring, up to 60 jobs are threatened in Stratford and up to 85 jobs in London.
The technicians' union BECTU will announce dates for a strike next week unless a move is made towards a negotiated settlement.
by Theatrenow
