September BA Report

Covid: We will still be asking all our venues to continue with regular testing, vaccination requirements, and masking. We have had two outbreaks amongst our venues this month and still have reason to believe that venues need to continue with regular production testing and masking requirements. 

Venue/ Negotiation News

The Village: We made excellent headway with our proposed wardrobe minimum staffing language. The Village countered and agreed to significantly better minimum staffing conditions. They have also added additional language that will base wardrobe staffing decisions not only on the number of performers ,but will also involve conversations and input with the Wardrobe Head and the Wig Department Head. This was a very big win for Local 887 and the Wardrobe Department at The Village! 

The joint unit is still struggling to get our rates up to adequate levels, and the Village will counter wages this week. Thanks to Doug Decker, Kate Simpson, Courtney Kessler, Jordan Kearns, and Beth Gilroy for your continual participation and help with this bargaining unit.

Mt Baker: Local 15 and Local 887 had a very productive joint unit meeting last week, and worked on creating our upcoming proposal language. We will meet at the table with Mt. Baker, September 7^th at 11am. Our joint goals include wage increases, health, and welfare contributions, and creating contract language that is more in line with our other venues and General contracts. Thankyou Tina North, PJ Sheehy, and Dana Crediford for playing a big part in this negotiation. 

Cornish: The college had recently accused the unit and all three locals of regressive bargaining and refused to counter what they felt was an unfair wage proposal. We have filed an Unfair Labor Practice against the college for refusing to negotiate and further stalling a negotiation that has gone on for over a year and a half. Cornish has also not signed the recent extension. 

However  ,all three locals and the bargaining unit met this morning and have decided to ask the college to come back to the table, noting that we understand the college is struggling financially. We will counter one last time with a lower wage proposal . This wage proposal was created by the unit over the weekend in hopes to bring them back to the table and not further stall the negotiation. If the college refuses to meet with us or does not wish to consider the new wage proposal, still much higher than their original offer, we will then continue to pursue filing unfair labor practice against the college. 

Teatro Zinzanni: We met with management at the table this past Wednesday with the majority of 887 language proposals. We proposed overtime after 8 hours, Personal Service Agreement guidelines, delinquency clauses for unpaid Health and Welfare Benefits, and proposed striking several areas where Management Rights language gave the employer rights to dismissal without the employees right to the grievance process. We also updated FLMA and Sick leave language so that it is more in line with City and State Law. We will go back to the table on September 12^th. Thankyou Marie Kramer, Sam Topola, and Karen Crosby for all your work on the bargaining unit. 

5^th Avenue: The 5^th, had originally asked for a one year contract extension with a wage freeze for all three locals. The locals rejected this proposal and countered with a 1-year extension with a wage increase equivalent to Cost-of-Living increase. The 5^th has rejected and countered with a 1-year extension with a 6-month wage freeze and a 3% increase in the later 6 months.  Local 887 and 488’s contract will be up this December and we will reach out to our units this week to request a time to formulate our responses. Thankyou Sarah Wade, Chris Moad, Randy Werdal, and Beth Baker for your active participation. 

Upcoming Training Opportunities

OSHA 10 Class: online through IATSE Training Trust

September 18^th-19^th

November 19^th-20^th

Click here to register: OSHA 10/General Entertainment Safety — IATSE Training Trust Fund

TTF Safety First Online Courses: includes courses in Wardrobe and Costume Safety. These courses are available year-round and can be taken at your own pace.

Click Here to register: TTF Safety First! Online Courses — IATSE Training Trust Fund

Mental Health First Aid: Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a crisis, and help connect them to the appropriate care.

September 12^th 9am-3pm   

Register Here 

Local 887 News:

Local 887 E-Board Election: 

-Don’t forget to turn in your nominations for the Local 887 E-Board by October 17^th

-Current Members of the E-Board: Please let our members of the election committee whether you intend on running in this year’s election. 

- Thanks to our Election Committee Volunteers: Christy Kazimour, Delia Mulholland, Mary Seasly, and Sam Topola 

4^TH Quarter Dues:

Please remember, the cost of using the Unionly Service to pay dues will go back to being paid by members using this service. The Local was previously absorbing this cost to help members through Covid hardships. 

Upcoming Events: 

E-Board Meeting: September 19^th 6:30pm 

General Membership Meeting: September 26^th 6:30pm 

In solidarity,

Carrie Steficek