The IATSE has successfully organized the CTNOW.COM Meadows Music Centre located in Hartford, CT, according the Thomas C. Short, International President.
A unit consisting of riggers, lighting technicians, audio technicians, loaders and other stagehands employed at the amphitheater filed a RC petition seeking union representation in September, 2000. The petition named Crews Unlimited of Connecticut (a labor supplier) and SFX Entertainment, Inc. d/b/a CTNOW.COM (owner of the facility) as joint employers of the unit. Both employers challenged the union’s assertion of their joint employer status and a hearing was conducted on September 29, 2000. The NLRB Regional Director found in favor of the union and ordered an election be held. This decision was upheld on appeal to the NLRB in Washington, DC.
A main ballot election was held on December 13, 2000 among a unit consisting of 72 employees. On January 4, 2001, the ballots showed that over 80 percent of the votes cast were in favor of the Union.
Organizing efforts were spearheaded by Daniel Di Tolla, Co-Division Director of IATSE’s Organizing Department.
