Joyce Management Agrees to Union Request for NLRB-Supervised Election; Date Set for 10/26

Joyce Theater stage technicians will have a chance to prove to Joyce management that they have designated Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) as their collective bargaining representative in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)-supervised election October 26. Upon certification, the Joyce stage technicians will have spoken just six weeks after the petition was filed by Local One.

"Joyce Theater Foundation's agreeing to a swift NLRB-supervised vote of its stage technicians for union representation is an act of respect and appreciation for its stagecraft employees," said Local One IATSE President James J. Claffey, Jr. "I applaud them. The Joyce is showing itself to be an organization with enlightened management as they could have engaged in numerous delaying legal maneuvers that would have been expensive for both sides. Instead, the stage technicians will speak and both the Joyce and Local One will respect their collective decision."

Local One IATSE filed a petition with the NLRB September 14 after granting Joyce management nearly a month to consider its request for voluntary recognition. Over the summer, a large majority of Joyce stage technicians signed authorization cards empowering Local One IATSE to act as their collective bargaining agent.

After the election, Local One IATSE expects to sit down with Joyce management and negotiate a contract fair to both Joyce stage technicians and the Joyce Theatre Foundation.

NLRB-supervised balloting is familiar territory for stagehands requesting representation at smaller venues in New York City. Last year, after a long, litigious and costly process, stagehands at Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts voted 22 to 0 to be represented by Local One. Those stagehands now work under a contract fair to both labor and management.

For 123 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.