New York State just formulated a task force their focus being Mold. Here you can find government (Huntington) offices and websites that maybe helpful in obtaining more information on what your local government may be doing Nassau Suffolk. With the humid weather conditions especially on Long Island mold and mildew are problems with which almost every homeowner is faced and is not an issue to be ignored as it can be a hazard to you and your families health and eventually force you and your loved ones out of your home.
As Thanksgiving and the holidays approach the time honored tradition of taking loved ones from out of town and children who have never had the magical experience of a Broadway show to their first experience once again becomes of utmost importance; not to mention those who rarely miss a well reviewed fresh hit, and those who are regular return visitors to the Theater District in New York City, to see their favorites such as Rent and Lion King. November 9, 2007 was when the first ripples of talk seemed to spread through 42nd street and out to the rest of the Broadway world and eventually the broad media that the talks between the ‘League of American theaters and Producers’ and Broadway’s unionized stage hands (Local One-International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) were not going well and by the 10th the union had
Because the Nederlander Organization negotiaties directly with the union is along with Lincolon Center, The Roundabout Theatre Company, and the Manhattan Theater Club all remain unaffected.
The League finds that the stage hand’s contracts are obsolete and detrimental to the health of the theater industry. They do recognize the skill and experience that qualifies them for their wage scale and their goal is to “…To pay for workers we need and for work that is actually performed. Stagehands are highly skilled and highly paid…” and proceed to apologize for any disappointments and inconveniences that the strike has caused to the theatre going public. The Local One has not come out with an official statement but the fliers that they have been distributing read: “Broadway is a billion dollar a year industry and has never been more profitable than now. Cuts in our jobs and wages will never result in a cut in ticket prices to benefit the public, but only an increase in the profits for produces. Unlike the producers, we are not fighting for our second or third homes: we are fighting to keep the one we have. ” The Actor’s Equity is behind the Stage Hand union and believes that all workers deserve fair wages, conditions, and respect from all those who are a part of making the magic come to life.
The impact is going to be felt through out the winter months as this season is usually the one that gives a cushion to the slow months such as January through March. Shows that were scheduled to open this week which will feel the impact of this strike most deeply will be “The Farnsworth Invention,” “The Seafarer,” “Augues: Osage County,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “The Homecoming,” are all shows which will especially feel the hit as they will not have the force caused by positive new reviews, that usually generates a lot of traffic for newly opened plays.
Contrasting to shows which are feeling such an impact there have been slight agreements reached by those working on “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” at the St. James Theatre. As this is a seasonal show which was slated to start the day after the strike was announced did come to an agreement between the Union and Jujamcyn Theatres to resume performances as it is only slated to run until January 6,2008. The heads of the union did not agree to the reopening initially but did eventually agree to reopen the theatre and instruct the picketers to stand down. The top union officials had been sluggish at first to agreeing to this proposition but as the probability of talks wrapping up in a timely fashion has decreased the show has been reopened.
After having received such disappointing news and having to shuffle your holiday weekend schedule’s and trying to decide what exactly you are going to do with your relatives and their children during the time that you had planned for going to a Broadway play you will be happy to find that your refunds will be easily obtained.
For tickets purchased through Telecharge will be automatically credited back within two business days to the card with which the tickets were purchase whether by internet or phone.
For tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will also be automatically refunded to your account within 7 to 10 business days (processing fees and delivery charges are nonrefundable)
For tickets purchased at the Box Office will take a little longer to obtain a refund for as the box office workers may be standing out side in support of their fellow theater workers. You may wait until the strike is over or mail them in to receive your refund (keep a copy for your records)
For more information directly from the League of American Theaters and Producers at 212 575 3824 or 8666546362
