fbpx

North Shore Music Theatre Stagehands Prevail in Strike for Livable Wages

North Shore Music Theatre stage crew thrilled to return to dazzle audiences

Beverly, MA – Tonight, the show will go on at North Shore Music Theatre.

Experienced stage crew will return to work tonight with their heads held high after reaching a new interim agreement with theatre management that will ensure well-deserved wage increases for the hardworking production staff. 

The agreement came on the heels of Wednesday’s successful opening night strike when stagehands walked-off the job ahead of the theatre’s opening performance of MAMMA MIA!  The stagehands, members of IATSE Local 11, said they had worked for months to reach an agreement, but simply couldn’t accept the exploitative working conditions any longer. 

“I’m thrilled to go back to work tonight to the job that I love, knowing my expertise is recognized and respected,” said Emily O’Sullivan, props department head and interim assistant technical director at the theater. 

NSMT crew were previously paid 60% less than the industry area average but will now be receiving wages starting at eighteen dollars per hour. They said their overnight success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Actor’s Equity and the American Federation of Musicians. 

This strike was one small part of the union movement sweeping the entertainment industry this October, as theater, film, television and related craftspeople demand workplace protections, fair pay and especially proper breaks and rest. The AFL-CIO declared this month #Striketober.

# # #

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

For more information please contact:
General: comms@iatse.net
Press: press@iatse.net

SHARE ON
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
English

Thank you for signing in!

Please present this to the Sergeant-at-Arms for entry.

Reminder: You will need to sign in again for each day of the General Executive Board Meeting.