Stagehand Talks Collapse; Broadway Shows Closed Until Nov. 25

November 19, 2007 6:40 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - Broadway shows for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend through Nov. 25 were canceled by producers as a strike by stagehands went on its ninth day.

The Local One Union of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees were unable to reach an agreement with producers after negotiations on Sunday night.

"We presented a comprehensive proposal that responded to the union's concerns about loss of jobs and earnings and attempted to address our need for some flexibilities in running our business," Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the League of American Theatres and Producers, said in a written statement. "The union rejected our effort to compromise and continues to require us to hire more people than we need."

St. Martin said no further negotiations were scheduled and that the extension of the show cancellations were made "out of respect for our public and our loyal theatergoers, many of whom are traveling from around the world."

Producers and stagehands have been in talks for more than three months over expenses and staffing requirements, particularly the number of stagehands required to open and run a show. Theaters are currently required to use at least four stagehands: a property master, an electrician, a carpenter and either a sound technician or a fly man, or someone responsible for raising the curtains and moving scenery up or down the stage. Producers have asked for more flexibility in the hiring of stagehands.

Local One, which has been working without a contract since talks began in July, represents 3,000 stage and studio electricians, set carpenters, property persons, sound designers, audio technicians, moving-light workers, riggers and special effects workers in New York.

The strike has shut down 27 Broadway shows since it began on Nov. 10.