Monthly Archives: August 2016

ZACH Employee Testimonials & IATSE 205 at Austin City Council

Press Release: City of Austin Budget Hearing, August 18, 2016; Re: City Funding to ZACH Theatre

CITY OF AUSTIN BUDGET HEARING. AUGUST 18, 2016.
RE. CITY FUNDING TO ZACH THEATRE
IATSE LOCAL 205 PRESS RELEASE.

The International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees, or IATSE, Local 205 of Austin, Texas, founded in 1911, assists our local stagehands in securing better working conditions and wages in music, theater, convention, and film production in Austin.

Stagehands at Austin’s ZACH Theater approached IATSE Local 205, seeking help to achieve fair and economically stable wages and working conditions. ZACH chooses to pay stagehands less than the area standards, and there is wage disparity between genders. Working people are often faced with the difficult choice of leaving the craft they love to find work that enables them to provide for their family. People who work in entertainment for a living should be able to earn a living wage.

ZACH management has responded in a negative and hostile manner to the stagehands campaign and its supporters. We are asking that ZACH stay neutral and let workers make the choice to negotiate collectively.

ZACH stagehands feel their best chance of affecting positive change is speaking up together to shape their workplace.

For further information, please contact:
IATSE Local 205 Organizing Committee Chair, Paul Arebalo Jr. at ;​ ZACH Internal Organizing Committee Chair, Katie S. Anderson at ​;​ or IATSE Local 205 President, Rachel Magee at ​.​

Documents:

IATSE Local 205 Press Release 2016-08-18 (PDF)
2016-08-18 COA Zach Budget Hearing Speech – Rachel Magee – Local 205 President (PDF)
Photo, Image Credit: Radar Bateman (JPG)

City Council Budget Hearing Archive Video:

Testimonials begin at the 4:00min mark.

Texas AFL-CIO

AFL-CIO Labor Day Fish Fry

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The annual TX AFL-CIO Labor Day Fish Fry celebration will occur on:

Friday, September 2, 2016 starting at 5PM  at NALC 181 Union Hall (National Assoc. of Letter Carriers),  601 Williams Street, Austin, TX. 78752.

Freshly fried fish, side dishes and beverages (beer and soft drinks) are available to you upon the purchase of a $10 ticket. All proceeds go towards raising funds for the Central Labor Council who help push labor friendly legislation at the local level and support labor friendly legislation at the state level.

I have tickets available so that you may purchase your ticket now. Either contact me in person, or purchase your ticket from me at the August regular meeting.

This is a fun way to welcome in the Labor Day weekend. I hope you will attend.

In Solidarity,
President Magee.

Paramount at Night

House Carpenter Wanted at Paramount Theatre!

The position is open until filled.  Read the full description and how to apply.  Note, this position is covered under an IATSE Local 205 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

House Carpenter

Status: Full-Time           Reports To: Director of Production           Salary/Benefits: IATSE Local 205

Summary: The Paramount Theatre, a 100 yr. old Historic Theatre and one of the few remaining hemp houses in the United States, is seeking a qualified Fulltime House Carpenter

Scope: As a working member of the Paramount Theatre house crew the Head Carpenter is responsible for managing/overseeing the safe and efficient operation of all stage equipment during work calls, load-ins and load-outs, for all productions at the Paramount Theatre, including events and rentals. The Carpenter is also responsible for oversight and management of the maintenance and upkeep of all stage systems and equipment in the Paramount Theatre. This is a staff position, you are expected to commit to a schedule of forty (40) hours per week, attend meetings as required, work independently and help plan for the long-term preservation of the theatre.

Responsibilities: (in no particular order of importance)

Acts as Crew Chief, aiding the Production Managers in running the crew for each event. The Carpenter is responsible for confirming times sheets are filled out correctly and managing the crews in a safe and efficient manner. They are responsible for ensuring that schedule is maintained & breaks are adhered to, they will inform Production Management of changes in a timely manner. On calls with IATSE Steward, the Carpenter will work closely with the Steward.

  • Carpenter is responsible for keeping the weekly work schedule for House Heads.
  • Have a working knowledge of all other departments (Lighting, Audio, Fly & Projection)
  • The safe and efficient operation of the Theatre and Stage systems.
  • Participate in the planning and safe installation of all stage systems at the Paramount Theatre. Including but not limited to; Audio, Rigging/Fly, Electrics.
  • As Head Carpenter you will communicate with Production Manager at ½hr and top of show to confirm FOH is ready. In most cases you will make the calls to Lighting, Audio, Fly & Projection as required to start the show.
  • Work as part of the non-departmentalized show crew for all productions at the Paramount.
  • Actively provide support for presented and rental productions and events. This includes, but is not limited to company functions such as backstage tours, on-stage parties and events, photo shoots, etc…
  • Consult with Production Management with respect to purchase/rental of equipment and expendables needed for upkeep of the stage/theatre and individual needs of shows.
  • Schedule, perform and/or assist in performing inspection of all Paramount Theatre systems. Inform Production Management of any upkeep, repair or routine maintenance to be performed in a timely manner. Work with the Dept. Heads to schedule required maintenance/repairs.
  • Coordinate with other Dept. Heads to budget needs throughout the year
  • Work with and communicate with other House Dept. Heads (Audio, Lighting, Fly, Projection) to maintain a unified and organized house crew.
  • Keep informed and up to date with training and skills including changes, technical advancements and safety protocols in the industry.
  • Manage personnel safety and uphold safety protocols within the department. Participate in all required training.
  • Attend production meetings as required.
  • Reports directly to Director of Production/Technical Director (Asst. Director of Production & Production Manager)
  • Other duties as assigned.

At a minimum, the House Carpenter must:

  • Manage and prioritize the day to day duties of the House Crew on non-show days
  • Supervise a crew of up to 50 in a safe & efficient manner during load-ins, load-outs, work & show calls.
  • Have the ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and multitask. Must be able to see the bigger picture.
  • Have the ability to work independently & as part of a team.
  • Be able to act as liaison between visiting production and local crew
  • Efficiently communicate to what is required/expected, keep them motivated through completion of tasks.
  • Understand budgets, estimates and scheduling and the importance of adherence
  • Be able to efficiently supervise and instruct assistants. Be able to direct others.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, unobstructed Theatre/Stage.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience:

  • Have 3-5yrs experience as a Head Carpenter either in a House or Road position (or comparable experience)
  • The safe use and application of power tools & hand tools.
  • They must have good carpentry skills, working knowledge of stage carpentry and the skills required to build a variety of scenic elements as well as the application of such elements. (We are not a producing house and as such we do not build sets for shows. We do have to build individual items as required for certain self-presented events). They must also possess the ability to make repairs to the stage and house as required.
  • Knowledge of and experience with a single purchase counterweight and a hemp fly system.
  • Working knowledge of chain motor rigging.
  • Working knowledge and experience with theatrical rigging.
  • Complete understanding of backstage etiquette. A good working knowledge of technical theatre practices.
  • Exceptional collaborative attitude. Exceptional customer service attitude.
  • Excellent work ethic including but not limited to: time management, work flow management, self-motivation, diplomacy, and interpersonal and collaborative communication skills
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds unassisted. Must be able to climb stairs & ladders, kneel, bend at the waist, and stand for extended periods of time. (Must be able to climb 50’ straight ladder to the grid and not have a fear of heights)

Requirements also include, but are not limited to

  • An intimate knowledge of knot tying (including but not limited to: bowline, belays, prussic hitches, clove hitches) block & falls and the basic laws of physics.
  • Working knowledge of Fly system, Sound, Lighting & Projection (digital & film). Carpenter may be called upon to help out in these areas as needed.
  • Basic Computer skills
  • Organize and communicate information clearly both verbally and in writing.
  • Work in a detail oriented manner, be resourceful and flexible, and be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Apply feedback to improve performance.
  • Effectively problem solve and troubleshoot.
  • Face demanding situations with tenacity, diplomacy and sensitivity under a lot of pressure.
  • Work independently AND as part of a team
  • Attend staff meetings as scheduled by Production Management.
  • Work irregular hours, evening hours, long hours, late hours & weekend shifts as required.

Apply: instructions on paramount website

Deadline: Open till filled.

This is a salaried 10 month 40hr week contract August 1 – May 31 and then hourly/on-call from June 1 – July 31, Texas is a right to work state you do not have to be a member of the union to accept this position.

The Paramount Theatre, Stateside at the Paramount & Austin Theatre Alliance are a family. We spend a lot of time together in these buildings and as such the ideal candidate will be able to mesh technical proficiency with social skills & a love for preserving this 100yr old gem. To learn more about The Paramount & Stateside at The Paramount, visit our website at www.austintheatre.org. We are host to 2 Film Festivals & 1 TV Festival each year. We have a diverse season of shows plus we produce/present a 4 day 10 venue Comedy Festival each April & our annual Gala takes over 2 city blocks in Downtown Austin.

Stage Alliance Pay It Right!

Union vs. Stage Alliance Wage Dispute Arbitration RESULT!

Dear Stage Alliance Employees:

I am pleased to announce that IATSE Local 205 won it’s grievance against Stage Alliance in regard to the dispute over Long Center wages. Additionally, the arbitrator granted the remedies we were seeking. The details are as follows:

Although the arbitrator ruled that Stage Alliance did not fail to bargain with the Union and dismissed our unfair labor practice charge, the arbitrator also ruled that Stage Alliance did violate the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) when it unilaterally altered the show classification system at the Long Center. Furthermore, the arbitrator has ordered Stage Alliance to reinstate the show classification system for the life of the CBA as it was prior to the change made in September 2015. In addition, Stage Alliance shall “make whole” (pay the missing wages and health and annuity benefits) all of the stagehands who were not paid the appropriate Class A wage rate for shows that they worked at the Long Center since September 10, 2015.

Per the arbitrator’s ruling, the Union will prepare a list of affected shows, as already detailed in Stage Alliance’s arbitration announcement. 

This positive result for Stage Alliance employees is the result of the hard work that Local 205 puts in to negotiating and enforcing our agreements. We could have gone to mediation or taken the compromise that was offered by Stage Alliance, but we listened when employees told us that they did not want to give up the wages that they were entitled to.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who showed solidarity on this issue. This win is great news for our Local and for Stage Alliance employees alike. We are here to serve Austin’s stage employees by negotiating agreements with fair wages and conditions, and then by protecting those agreements. This is why IATSE Local 205 exists!

In Solidarity,
President Magee