Broadway Strike Looming? Cleaners Give Authority
Is A Broadway Shutdown Showdwn On?
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – Does another Broadway strike loom? More than 260 Broadway theater cleaners, porters and matrons voted unanimously today to give their bargaining committee the authority to settle or strike more than 30 Broadway League theaters along New York City’s Great White Way according to a statement from Kwame Patterson, spokesperson for 32BJ SEIU.
“Today the members sent a strong message to the League,” said Hector Figueroa, Secretary Treasurer of 32BJ. “The people who clean these celebrated theaters demand a fair contract with higher wages, a secure retirement and improved access to healthcare.”
According to reporting from Eric Konigsberg at The New York Times, the workers are demanding a pay raise of $1.50 an hour, a promise not to see their health insurance cut, and additional pension benefits. On hand to show support for the workers union today was God of Carnage star Jimmy Smits and Bill de Blasio, Broadway stage hands Local 1 and Public Advocate-elect.
“I’m happy to be here in support of the men and women who keep Broadway theaters open, clean and running smoothly, “Smits is quoted as saying, adding “Worker should fight for what’s fair and just.”
On the other side of the negotiations, Charlotte St. Martin head of The Broadway League is quoted in the New York Times: “The Broadway League is in negotiations with 32BJ and we believe the negotiations are progressing well. We are confident that we will reach an agreement in a reasonable period of time and are moving forward.”
Thursday is the last scheduled bargaining date between the Broadway League and the theater workers. The contract is set to expire on December 31.
Could a strike by 32BJ lead to a Broadway shutdown? Will the other Broadway unions showing solidarity with the Broadway cleaners from 32BJ? Will other Broadway stars join Mr. Smits in support of the Broadway cleaners? Stay tuned, and follow along with us on Twitter for more updates.
Tags: Bill de Blasio, Broadway, Broadway League, Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv, Charolette St. Martin, cleaners, God of Carnage, hector Figueroam, Jimmy Smits, Kwame Patterson, Strike
