Breaking: Union & Tony Awards Reach Red Carpet Agreement

Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and Tony Award Productions Inc have reached agreement on union staffing of the red carpet staging area for the 2011 Tony Awards program this Sunday.

"The Tony Awards and Local One IATSE are very pleased that, together, we were able to reach an agreement, to produce the Tony Awards red carpet on Sunday evening. The fact remains that Sunday is a true celebration of the Broadway community and all of the outstanding work that has been nominated this season," James J. Claffey, Jr. President of Local One IATSE and Allan Williams, General Manager of Tony Award Productions Inc. said jointly.

Both labor and management are satisfied with the terms and conditions of the agreement which will not be publically disclosed. The red carpet staging area for this and future Tony Award shows at the Beacon Theater will be staffed by union labor.

Both Local One IATSE and Tony Award Production wish to thank the management of Madison Square Garden Entertainment, managers of the Beacon Theatre, for their patience and assistance in facilitating this agreement.

For 125 years, Local One <www.iatselocalone.org> has been the premiere stagecraft union of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, representing 3,000 property persons, stage and studio electricians, set carpenters, sound designers, audio technicians, moving-light operators, riggers and special effects people in New York.

The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television.