The Strike is ON!!!

Just in case you guys didn't know....the League of American Theatres and Producers and The Stagehand Union (Local One) hadn't come into agreement these past few weeks so Local One gave the go signal for a strike which started Saturday 11 am Nov. 10. As a result Broadway was dark this weekend (the first time since the musician's strike in 2003). Lani previously wrote about it here. Local One, the stagehands union is the oldest union on Broadway has not called for a strike in it's 125 year history until now. Thirty five shows have been affected by the strike. However, non-profit houses and some shows covered by a separate contract remain open: Mary Poppins, Xanadu, Young Frankenstein, Spelling Bee, Pygmalion, The Ritz, Mauritius and Cymbeline.

Coverage of the first day of the strike can be found here

On day 2 of the strike, theatre performers such as the cast of Ave Q have joined their colleagues in the picket line. Check out who else joined the strikers here :) --> hopefully you'll get to see the picture :)

Reactions from people on the street are mixed but check out this article from Playbill.com about the stand of Actors' Equity regarding the strike.

Let's hope, for the love of theatre that the 2 sides come back to the table soon and talk things out.....but for now we wait and see......

(photo above fr NY Times)

Striiike two!

The Writers Guild of America might go on strike as early as this Friday. The east and west coast unions broke off talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and allowed their contract to expire last night. According to the New York Times:

"writers and producers are separated by differences over payments for the use of programs distributed through new media like the Internet and cellphones, and conflicting demands for a change in payments for the reuse of movies and TV shows on DVDs and elsewhere. "

I hope they resolve this soon. The writers are the lifeblood of the entertainment industry. I don't even want to think about what other reality shows or game shows we'll be subjected to if they do go on strike. *shudders* Good luck writers!

02 November 2007 UPDATE: For the first time since 1988, writers will go on strike Monday. Late night talk shows have already announced that they will show reruns. The strike can put thousands of industry workers out of a job.

Broadway to go dark?

Contract negotiations between the Broadway stagehands' union and the League of American Theaters and Producers are at a standstill. The stagehands have been working without a contract since July. The impasse involves the load-in period — when equipment is brought into the Broadway theaters. Producers say the rules require them to be pay the union members even when there is no work to do. If the union rejects the LATP's final offer, the producers could lock out the stagehands and shut down most theaters. It would take the union longer to arrange a strike. The last time Broadway went dark was in 2003 when the musicians' union went on a 4-day strike. Perhaps they will keep negotiating and reach an agreement before Broadway is shut down.