Los Angeles Local Stagehands Union Warns Members Not to Steal on the Job

Deadline writes that LA's local union - IATSE Stage Technician Local 33 - recently wrote a message warning its member stagehands at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, CTG's theaters (Ahmanson, Mark Taper Forum) and more not to steal items from backstage.

"Theft in the workplace has been happening regularly at the various venues," Mark Madrigal, the union's theatre business rep, wrote in a message accidentally posted to the home page the local's website. "Whomever it may be, when caught, you shall be punished to the fullest of Local 33's abilities."

Madrigal told Deadline this is a "very serious issue" but that he never meant for the message to be public. "It's just a warning," he added. "If we find out it was a member, they will be disciplined. If it was a probationary member, they won't work again."

The union includes around 1,500 members who work as stagehands for big awards shows such as the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys, as well as TV shows including The Price is Right, America's Got Talent, and several soap operas.