Carnegie Strike Settled

After one year of negotiations and one cancelled Gala, Carnegie Hall and its stagehands’ union were able to come to an agreement last Friday, October 4th.  According to The New York Times, both sides have declared victory.  The union will play a role in Carnegie Hall’s new $230 million educational facility, but it will not be the same role that it plays in the Hall itself.

Under the new deal, people can move things without calling in union help unless they are heavy.  When asked how heavy something has to be before a stagehand must be called, Carnegie Hall’s executive director explained “Heavy enough that a person says, ‘I need some help from the union person.’”  Now that’s a clear standard.

[JT]