Post by Jari on Nov 18, 2004 12:11:05 GMT -5
Thu, November 18, 2004
Sympathy orchestra
Players back stage-hands' MTS discord
By ROSS ROMANIUK, CITY HALL REPORTER
Musicians with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra say they will refuse to perform at MTS Centre if unionized stage-hands are shut out of the new arena. About 200 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) are trying to get work at MTS Centre, but the centre has hired a Vancouver firm and its non-unionized workers. The old Winnipeg Arena hired unionized stage-hands and technicians exclusively.
"We'll do whatever we can to help them in their effort," said Tony Cyre, secretary-treasurer of the Winnipeg Musicians Association.
Cyre said the WSO's 65 players -- who performed at the downtown arena for Tuesday's opening gala -- will refuse to take its stage again if IATSE is picketing.
The symphony has performed twice at Winnipeg Arena since the early 1990s, said a WSO musician, who asked to remain anonymous.
MTS Centre narrowly averted the embarrassment of a picket line on opening night by agreeing to let the unionized workers handle a show by magician David Copperfield this Sunday.
But that is a one-time deal. The entertainment complex has agreed only to continue talking to the union about the issue -- and hasn't agreed to cancel its contract with Nasco Services Inc. of Vancouver. Nor has Nasco agreed to hire the unionized workers.
"If we don't come to some reasonable conclusion to this situation, we'll go back out and picket. That's all," said Barny Haines, spokesman for IATSE Local 63 which represents the unionized stage hands.
If that happens, not only will it halt WSO performances at MTS Centre, it could prevent the filming of any movies at the arena. That's because the approximately 250 film crew members belong to a separate local of the same union as the stage hands.
MOVIE CREWS
"If these negotiations break down and they request our support, we will support them," said Olaf Dux, who represents the movie crews. "We won't work at MTS Centre and won't shoot at MTS Centre."
Nasco has hired and trained about 75 Manitobans to work concerts on an on-call basis at MTS Centre. Nasco has refused to say how much they are being paid, but it's believed to be less than the unionized crews made at the old arena.
IATSE Local 63's stage hands and riggers -- who earned hourly wages of $18.75 and $31 at Winnipeg Arena -- will continue to work at venues such as Pantages Playhouse, Manitoba Theatre Centre and Centennial Concert Hall. The union says large arena shows account for a significant portion of their pay and they can't afford to give that up.
Kevin Donnelly, vice-president of True North Entertainment -- which runs the new arena, said he hopes the symphony and film crews don't let themselves become "dragged down into someone else's squabble.
"You can ask other people to join you in your unhappiness," Donnelly added. "But it doesn't amount to a legal position."
Sympathy orchestra
Players back stage-hands' MTS discord
By ROSS ROMANIUK, CITY HALL REPORTER
Musicians with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra say they will refuse to perform at MTS Centre if unionized stage-hands are shut out of the new arena. About 200 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) are trying to get work at MTS Centre, but the centre has hired a Vancouver firm and its non-unionized workers. The old Winnipeg Arena hired unionized stage-hands and technicians exclusively.
"We'll do whatever we can to help them in their effort," said Tony Cyre, secretary-treasurer of the Winnipeg Musicians Association.
Cyre said the WSO's 65 players -- who performed at the downtown arena for Tuesday's opening gala -- will refuse to take its stage again if IATSE is picketing.
The symphony has performed twice at Winnipeg Arena since the early 1990s, said a WSO musician, who asked to remain anonymous.
MTS Centre narrowly averted the embarrassment of a picket line on opening night by agreeing to let the unionized workers handle a show by magician David Copperfield this Sunday.
But that is a one-time deal. The entertainment complex has agreed only to continue talking to the union about the issue -- and hasn't agreed to cancel its contract with Nasco Services Inc. of Vancouver. Nor has Nasco agreed to hire the unionized workers.
"If we don't come to some reasonable conclusion to this situation, we'll go back out and picket. That's all," said Barny Haines, spokesman for IATSE Local 63 which represents the unionized stage hands.
If that happens, not only will it halt WSO performances at MTS Centre, it could prevent the filming of any movies at the arena. That's because the approximately 250 film crew members belong to a separate local of the same union as the stage hands.
MOVIE CREWS
"If these negotiations break down and they request our support, we will support them," said Olaf Dux, who represents the movie crews. "We won't work at MTS Centre and won't shoot at MTS Centre."
Nasco has hired and trained about 75 Manitobans to work concerts on an on-call basis at MTS Centre. Nasco has refused to say how much they are being paid, but it's believed to be less than the unionized crews made at the old arena.
IATSE Local 63's stage hands and riggers -- who earned hourly wages of $18.75 and $31 at Winnipeg Arena -- will continue to work at venues such as Pantages Playhouse, Manitoba Theatre Centre and Centennial Concert Hall. The union says large arena shows account for a significant portion of their pay and they can't afford to give that up.
Kevin Donnelly, vice-president of True North Entertainment -- which runs the new arena, said he hopes the symphony and film crews don't let themselves become "dragged down into someone else's squabble.
"You can ask other people to join you in your unhappiness," Donnelly added. "But it doesn't amount to a legal position."