Backstage union IATSE has reached a tentative agreement with Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company. If ratified by the workers, the move could end a strike that began in January and forced the cancellation of three productions.
According to a joint statement from IATSE and Atlantic, the proposed agreement includes "significant compensation increases including comprehensive benefits that both parties believe reflect the essential contributions of the production crew to Atlantic Theater Company's success."
Full details of the tentative agreement will be provided to backstage workers and ATC stakeholders in the coming days. Approval of the measure would make the company the first non-profit producing solely Off-Broadway to have a union agreement covering production classifications.
The strike, which began at 2 PM January 12, closed Atlantic's productions of Grief Camp and I'm Assuming You Know David Greenspan, both of which were in previews. The move also forced the cancellation of the Atlantic for Kids production of Elephant & Piggie鈥檚 鈥淲e Are in a Play!鈥�
The unionization of backstage workers at Atlantic is part of a larger trend Off-Broadway, one that may well change the landscape of that industry. Prior to last year, the vast majority of Off-Broadway backstage work was non-union. Similar unionization measures have happened at commercial Off-Broadway productions 罢颈迟补苍矛辩耻别 and Little Shop of Horrors, along with The Public Theater. Atlantic's strike followed a breakdown in negotiations on the road towards their backstage workers' first-ever union contract.
The theatre has not yet shared further news on the canceled productions.
