The League of American Theatres and Producers has released remarks made by its Executive Director, Charlotte St. Martin, on their official web site.
"We are saddened by the decision of Local One stagehands union to hold
this unnecessary strike. It is fitting, however, that the first show
they walked out on was How the Grinch Stole Christmas -- because today,
the Union showed that it is willing to take away the magic of Broadway
from children and adults…New Yorkers AND visitors…who had been looking
forward to a wonderful holiday time experience at the theatre.
"Fighting to preserve the featherbedding concept that stagehands should
be paid for not working is more important to them than preserving the
holiday season for millions of theatergoers.
"The core of this dispute is not about wages. Local One stagehands will
continue to be the best paid in the world. It is not about benefits,
but it is about fairness. We think it is fair to be able to hire the
workers we need and to pay them for the work they do. We think it is
not fair to have to hire workers we don't need and pay them for doing
nothing. No industry can continue to tolerate such featherbedding.
Certainly not ours, where four out of five productions are financial
failures.
"The Union chose to strike-- without notifying us -- rather than to
continue negotiations. But our members are united in their commitment
to achieving a fair contract. Our goal is simple: To pay for workers we
need and for work that is actually performed.
"The place to resolve these issues is at the bargaining table, not the
picket line. We made significant concessions; they took to the
streets--hurting all members of the theater community, costing the city
$17 million a day and deeply disappointing many thousands of
theatergoers, including New Yorkers and visitors from around the world.
"We deplore the strike and the harm it does to the City, the industry,
and the theatre-going public…Indeed... to all the actors, musicians and
other talented people who make Broadway magical. Broadway is THE top
tourist attraction in New York. Hotel workers, restaurateurs, taxi
drivers and retailers too will be impacted by this strike.
"This could have been avoided had the union's leadership chosen to act
responsibly at the bargaining table. We are so sorry about the
inconvenience caused to the theatre-going public.
