UPDATE: Producers and Stagehands Union May Reconvene Nov. 25
By Andrew Gans
20 Nov 2007
The League of American Theatres and Producers and Local One, the stagehands union, may reconvene Sunday, Nov. 25, Playbill.com has learned.
Local One confirmed to Playbill.com that the union has asked the League to begin another round of negotiations on Nov. 25 in order to try to end the labor dispute that has darkened 27 Broadway theatres. Bruce Cohen, a spokesperson for the union, said, "Local One has only asked the League to meet on Sunday, but we've heard no reply." Alan Cohen, the League's spokesperson, told Playbill.com, "There are discussions about a meeting on Sunday, but nothing has been scheduled yet."
The League and the union were last at the negotiating table Nov. 17 and 18. Many had hoped that that weekend of negotiations — the first time the union and the League had sat down together since Nov. 9 — would lead to a quick resolution. Those in the industry believed that the talks, which began Saturday morning, Nov. 17, would be aided by the participation of Robert W. Johnson, a Disney labor relations executive who flew in to mediate. Thomas C. Short, the president of I.A.T.S.E. who had granted strike authorization to the Broadway stagehands union on Nov. 9, was also part of the weekend meetings.
The two days' worth of negotiating at the Westin Hotel proved unfruitful. The producers left the meeting after no agreement could be reached. Following the Sunday talks, producers announced they would cancel shows through the Thanksgiving weekend.
The stagehands strike began Nov. 10 and is currently in its 11th day. Shows in the 27 affected theatres have been canceled through Nov. 25.
Only eight Broadway shows are currently up and running.
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2009 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|