IATSE Local 868, Treasurers & Ticket Sellers, reached a settlement Friday night with Clear Channel Entertainment in the nearly week-long strike at the Morris Mechanic Theater in Baltimore, according to Thomas C. Short, International President.
The dispute involved various contract issues, however, it was chiefly focused on Clear Channel’s proposal to freeze wages for three years and the employer’s proposal to allow non-bargaining unit personnel to perform bargaining unit work.
Local 868 received overwhelming support from its sister Stage Local 19 and Wardrobe Local 913, as well as the 14-member IATSE road crew with “42nd Street” which was featured at the Theater last week and has now moved on to Pittsburgh.
The IATSE also received tremendous support from Actors’ Equity Association whose members honored the picket line. Short further stated that “It is this kind of solidarity that demonstrates that we will stand together side by side and not allow our members to be forced to accept substandard wages and working conditions. This dispute has unified the IATSE and Actors’ Equity”.
The settlement, reached at approximately 7:45 PM on Friday night, October 4th, resulted in a wage increase of 3% per year over the life of the contract which will expire in 2005. The union also maintained its staffing requirements and benefits as contained in its previous agreement.