IATSE Union And Global Spectrum Sign International Agreement

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire)

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union (IATSE) recently signed an international agreement with Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum, covering work in their facilities. The three-year contract was endorsed by a unanimous vote by the General Executive Board.

The premise of the deal relates to a long-standing relationship, which began with Global Spectrum on a local level at their facilities in Philadelphia – the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum — and was carried through to their management contracts at the Liacouras Center at Temple University and the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ. Many of Global Spectrum's facilities are now under the new arrangement, including the Everett Events Center in Everett, WA; the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, TX; and the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, CO, all of which opened this past fall.

"This is one of the most significant contracts of the last several years for the International," said International President Thomas C. Short. "This contract provides consistent and equal benefit contributions for our members regardless of their geographic location."

"This is a perfect example of management and labor working together to provide fair wages, work rules and working conditions," said Global Spectrum Chairman Peter Luukko. "Our tremendous relationship with IATSE dates back to the on-going successes that we have had with (IATSE Board Member) Michael Barnes at our two Philadelphia facilities – Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum."

"This new agreement serves as a formal outline for IATSE working relationships in various Global Spectrum facilities," said Global Spectrum Regional Vice President John Page. "This contract will enable us to provide all of our shows, promoters, and performers the best experience when playing a Global Spectrum facility. The new arrangement also helps us streamline our discussions with the union's top officials at all of our facilities."

"They have proven in Philadelphia and elsewhere that management and labor can work together on a fair agreement which benefits all parties and which can bring more business to a facility and ultimately, create more business opportunities," said Barnes who has been working with both Page and Luukko since l993. "Based on our Philadelphia results, we thought this new agreement would be great on a national scale." –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner