Kwame Patterson: 212-388-3676
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Matt Nerzig: 212-539-2882
New York, NY – Negotiations for a new union contract covering over 240 theater service workers began today between 32BJ SEIU and The Broadway League, a national trade association for the industry. The current contract, which expires on December 31st, covers the porters, cleaners and matrons who work on Broadway’s celebrated Great White Way. Some of the League theaters where 32BJ members work play host to successful shows like “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Mamma Mia,” “Jersey Boys,” “In the Heights,” “God of Carnage” and “Shrek the Musical.”
“The men and women who keep these famous theaters clean deserve a fair contract,” said Hector Figueroa, Secretary Treasurer of 32BJ, the union that represents hundreds of New York City arena, stadium and theater service workers. “The League should do right by their workers by funding their pensions, providing greater access to health care benefits and raising wages.”
Bargaining goals include fair and equitable wage increases, better access to employer-paid family healthcare coverage and maintenance of pension benefits.
“I’ve been at the Gershwin for 11 years,” says Linda Allaway, a cleaner at the League’s Gershwin Theater. “When I started here I knew there was a pension – and securing retirement benefits is important to me.”
The union has already negotiated successful contracts for close to 1,000 workers at other major entertainment venues in the City, like the Metropolitan Opera, Koch Theater, New York City Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Citi Field and Yankee Stadium.
“If these major venues could help improve the lives of hardworking New Yorkers, the Broadway League has no excuse,” said Figueroa.
With more than 110,000 members in eight states and Washington, D.C., including 70,000 in the New York area, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.
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updated 12/7/09
