I A T S E Members

Stage workers' union quiet after lockout

Stage workers at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts aren’t talking after they were locked out Saturday.

The not-for-profit facility that is home to six arts organizations and is also booked by independent theatre groups is owned by the city. After the contract between the St. Lawrence Centre and the union representing its stage workers expired at the end of 2010, they were legally locked out when negotiations failed.

While management and the city councillor who sits on the centre’s board have gone public with their reasons for the lockout, the union, IATSE 58 (International Alliance Theatrical Stage Employees) has chosen not to comment.

After trying to reach union members for two days, with no response, the Star contacted Nelson Robinson, the third union officer listed on IATSE 58’s website. Robinson, who holds the title of business agent, said, “I have no comment. Thank you,” then hung up.

Fears that shows might be cancelled aren’t shared by one of the artistic directors putting on the next public performance at the centre, Mamaloshen , starring legendary Broadway singer and actor Mandy Patinkin, which begins Sept. 17. (A private show is scheduled for early September).

“We have been assured by management that it will be business as usual during this difficult time,” David Eisner of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, wrote in an email to the Star .

Toronto city councillor, and board member Gary Crawford, said the lockout is a result of trying to find efficiencies, which are necessary for the centre’s long-term viability. He said the centre’s management, not the city, made the decision.

After overhead and revenues, the St. Lawrence Centre is projected to cost the city $1.34 million to run in 2011. Salaries and benefits will account for $2.54 million out of its total 2011 costs of $3.64 million. The centre was projected to employ 41.6 staff in 2011. The proposed 2011 budget to the city included cutting the hours of stage workers.

IATSE Local 30 Administering Fund for Nathan Byrd Family Members ...

INDIANAPOLIS - IATSE Local 30 is administering a fund for the family of Nathan Byrd, the spotlight operator who died after falling with the rigging in the Aug. 13 stage collapse (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=5580 Itemid=129) at the Indiana State Fair. Byrd, a single parent, is survived by two teens, age 13 and 15. The fund will assist with funeral expenses and other basic needs. Checks should be made out to IATSE Local 30/Disaster Relief Fund. They can be sent to: IATSE Local 30/Attn: Nathan Byrd Family 1407 East Riverside Drive Indianapolis, In 46202-2037 For more information, please visit www.iatse30.org (http://www.iatse30.org/).

A Christmas carol in prose, being a ghost story of Christmas

I, Robot

A streetcar named desire

A People's History of the United States

A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier