Monthly Archives: September 2016

Stage Alliance ‘B Rate’ Is No More!

With the recent wage dispute concluded and subsequent settlement checks mailed out, Stage Alliance Inc. contacted IATSE Local 205 with a new wage proposal for consideration:

“Stage Alliance proposes paying out $17.25 on all stagehand wages at Long Center and UT Texas Performing Arts for the remainder of this CBA with Local 205. This would eliminate the B wage completely, provided that Local 205 agrees to freeze the wage increase for stagehand positions only on LCPA and TPA events; scheduled to take effect 10/1/2016.  Stage Alliance proposes NO other changes to the wage addendum set for October 1st until the end of the current CBA.”

On September 28th 2016, IATSE Local 205 members voted to accept this proposal. On October 1, 2016 all rated positions with the exception of ‘stagehands’, will receive the scheduled 1% pay increase. However, stagehands will now receive $17.25 for all work at Long Center’s Dell Hall and all venues of Texas Performing Arts. Eliminating the B stagehand wage rate is something Local 205 has pushed for during the last two contract negotiations, so we are very happy to finally see it gone! This change will remain in effect until the current contract expires on September 30, 2017.

Stage Alliance Pay It Right!

Stage Alliance Pay It Right Update – September 2016

The shows listed below are the shows that were previously paid at the B wage, but have been reclassified to A wage as settlement of the arbitration between IATSE Local 205 and Stage Alliance.

  • Ballet Folklorico
  • Screw Tape Letters
  • UB40
  • Bollywood Massala
  • Work Call on 10/27/16
  • Neil Gaiman
  • Vietnamese Live
  • Les Ballets Trocadero
  • ASO Pops
  • Argo Guthrie
  • Peking Acrobats
  • Vocalocity
  • Carol Burnett
  • Shen Yun Dance
  • Star Trek Ultimate Voyage
  • Black Violin
  • Legend of Zelda
  • Mandy Patinkin
  • Case/Lang/Viers

The list was determined by the criteria in the SA-LCPA contract that was in effect when we negotiated the current CBA with Stage Alliance. Ticket sales information was used to verify proper classification of the events.

Note: The GMC event was a private corporate event with no tickets sold and a closed balcony, so it did not qualify as an A rate event by the criteria in the SA-LCPA contract.

Make-up checks and healthy & annuity contributions have been made by Stage Alliance. If stagehands worked these shows and have not received a make-up check, they should contact a Local 205 steward or the Business Agent.

Lynda.com Subscriptions (New or Renewal)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

If you were signed up for a Lynda.com subscription that just ended on 8/31, you may renew your subscription for $25.  See this flyer for what the courses are like or browse all of them on lynda.com.

New subscriptions also cost $25. See the attached flyer for more information on Lynda.com and the online training that is offered.

All year 2 subscriptions will last until 8/31/2017.

You must be, and remain, in good standing with all financial obligations to Local 205 in order to sign up for Lynda.com.

To sign up or renew, please follow the following procedure. Please note that the IATSE office in NY wants to receive ONE check from Local 205 for all people who sign up, so we must follow these steps.

  • Email and let me know that you want to renew or sign up.
  • If you are signing up for the first time, please include your date of birth (required by Lynda.com) and the email address you would like to have associated with the Lynda.com account.
  • Renewing members will continue to use the email address that they signed up with last year.
  • Send a check for $25, payable to “IATSE Local 205” to Treasurer Kelso. Please put “Lynda.com” on the memo line so she knows what the check is for.
  • You may mail the check to PO Box 142, Austin TX 78767 or pay at the monthly meeting.
  • Your subscription will be activated when the IATSE office in NY receives and processes the subscription forms. Lynda.com will contact you directly to complete the sign in process at that time.

In solidarity,
Todd Drga
IATSE Local 205 Vice President

Congratulations on the new positions!

IATSE Local 205 congratulates Kevin Squires on obtaining the position of House Carpenter at the Paramount Theatre, and Ryan Graham, on obtaining the position of House AV Technician at the Long Center.  We look forward to representing you and hope you will consider joining our union!

Paramount Theatre

Long Center

Stewarding II Training Oct 5th and 6th

Via Sam Chesney, Steward Committee Chair:

Brothers and Sisters,

Local 205 will be offering Steward 2 training and testing again in October. This course is open to all members who have completed previous Stewarding courses. There is no charge associated with this class.

Dates: October 5th and 6th from 9am to 5pm
Location: IBEW 3rd Floor Meeting Hall
Please RSVP to

The Steward 2 course is for members who have completed Steward 1 training and offers additional instruction in writing grievances, investigating complaints and incidents, dealing with management, CBA analysis, Call Steward, Hiring Hall paperwork, and a lot more. In addition, the second day, October 6th, we will be offering the Steward exam.

Note that the Business Agent is under standing orders from the membership to appoint and crew stewards who have passed this test and attended these classes above other considerations. Also note that in order to keep your qualified steward status you are required to re-certify bi-annually.

Sam Chesney
Chair, Steward’s Committee