IATSE Signs Deal with NETworks Touring Productions

by James Parks, Apr 6, 2009

“Hairspray” fans can watch Tracy Turnblad dance her way onto TV in NETworks’ union touring show.

Five highly popular touring shows are now a part of the union family. In a significant organizing win, the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) recently negotiated an agreement covering the backstage workers traveling with touring shows produced by NETworks.

NETworks previously was the most active nonunion company for touring legitimate theater productions. The five NETworks shows currently touring were nonunion, but will now be covered under a collective bargaining agreement that provides for good wages, working conditions and health and retirement benefits for stagehands, wardrobe and hair and makeup workers.

The agreement extends to current NETworks productions of “Sweeney Todd,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Hairspray,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Annie,” and into the 2009-2010 season. Additionally, there are currently seven productions planned that will be covered the following season.

IATSE President Matthew Loeb said: “This agreement will provide meaningful benefits to NETworks’s crews.”

It also secures this work under IATSE jurisdiction and expands our presence in the one-night and split-week touring markets and, as such, was a major organizing priority for us.

IATSE represents workers employed in the stagecraft, motion picture, television production and trade show industries.

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