Stagehands Hold Informational Picket Against University’s Use of Cheap Labor

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 13 (I.A.T.S.E.) is holding an informational picket at Williams and Mariucci Arenas.  We have been replaced on an event, US FIRST Robotics, for which we had provided labor for the past four years.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 13 has represented Stage employees in Minneapolis and the outlying areas since 1894 including the University of Minnesota campus.

With the closing of Northrop Auditorium for the next two years, we are asking the University to support their Union Stagehand employee’s at all U of M special events.  Help them stay off unemployment.

I.A.T.S.E. members have worked as University employees at Northrop Auditorium for several generations.  We have also worked for many video, lighting and sound companies and producers throughout the campus.

We are standing not just for our Union members, but also for the non-union stagehands working this event, those pressured by their employer to be independent contractors.  This shifts the employers responsibility of paying payroll taxes and insurance onto the workers themselves. We are asking for State and Federal investigations into these companies.

I.A.T.S.E. Local 13 operates one of the most sophisticated call referral (bench call) systems in the country, at no cost to the employers.  Stagehand employees fund this operation.  We dispatch on a daily basis to every major Venue in the Twin Cities.  We welcome anyone to ask our employers at Minneapolis Convention Center, Ordway Center, Xcel Center, State, Orpheum, and Pantages Theaters, Target Center, Orchestra Hall, etc. how it benefits their labor needs with regard to our referral system.  This ensures a reduced number of unemployment claims, which benefits our members and all of our employers.

By supporting I.A.T.S.E. Local 13 stagehands you are supporting the arts and entertainment community.