Philadelphia, PA – In a historic election, Production Employees at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia voted “Yes” for a union with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 8. One hundred percent of the votes cast were in support of IATSE. Last month, the Stagehands, Technicians, and Engineers employed by Live Nation at the 1000-person capacity music venue, bowling alley, and restaurant in Philadelphia petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election of eligible employees.
Other Philadelphia Live Nation stagehands are already organized with IATSE Local 8, including The Fillmore, T.L.A., Tower Theater, and The Met. “Next door at the Fillmore, the workers get health benefits, more money, job protections doing the exact same job that we do,” said George Spencer a Brooklyn Bowl Lighting Engineer. “We are happy and thrilled to be in union with IATSE Local 8. We look forward to bargaining a fair deal.”
Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia opened to the public in November 2021, the fourth location of the club. The original site is in Brooklyn with additional spots in Las Vegas and Nashville. Philadelphia is the first Brooklyn Bowl location to form a union.
“The workers who support these club venues are the foundation of the live event music industry. They need a family-sustaining wage,” said Michael Barnes 1st International Vice President, IATSE
Production Employees of Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia join a growing trend of workers organizing for power on the job. According to a recent Gallop Poll, 71% of Americans support labor unions. The NLRB reports that union representation petitions increased in 2022 by a historic 58%.
“All workers should vote to organize and join a union, no matter what your craft may be, everybody deserves to be represented and have protection in the workplace,” stated Matthew McIntyre, President/Business Manager, IATSE, Local 8
“Philly is a union town” notes IATSE Representative Daniel Little “the labor movement in the United States started in Philadelphia. Live Event Workers at Brooklyn Bowl are coming together for their mutual aid and protection. Everyone who works should be in a union.
