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ATPAM: News: HL0106F

NEWS

ATPAM and Off-Broadway League Renewal Talks Continue

This report to the Membership has been compiled based on notes taken by some members of ATPAM’s Negotiating Committee and reflect the observations of those members.

On Monday, June 18, 2001 the committees representing ATPAM and the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers met for the third time to hammer out details of a contract renewal to extend the current agreement, which is set to expire on June 30, 2001.

While there are still significant unresolved issues, some progress was made. The League finally presented ATPAM with written proposals that provided a basis for a more detailed discussion and set forth specific points to negotiate within the context of the existing agreement and the 25 year-long bargaining history between the Union and the League. Each side offered initial responses to the other’s proposals.

Perhaps the most significant, and disturbing, proposal from the League was a draconian change in the employment status of Press Agents. The League proposed the following language:

"Press Agent may be terminated at any time with no replacement contract required thereafter."

The ATPAM committee rejected this proposal.

Among other proposals from the League was a proposal to scale back employer contributions into the Manager’s and Press Agent’s Welfare Fund. Clearly this proposal cannot be accepted by the Union.

The committees agreed to meet again on Thursday, June 21, 2001 to continue discussions. They also agreed to keep open the entire day on Friday, June 29, 2001 with the goal of continuing negotiations until there is a deal. Both sides understand the problems inherent in going past the expiration date of the contract, which is midnight, Saturday, June 30, 2001.

Representatives of the Union will be in touch with members working Off-Broadway on Saturday June 30, 2001 to provide information and instructions based on whether or not a renewal deal has been made. Once the ATPAM negotiating committee has agreed to new terms and conditions, those terms and conditions must be approved by the Board of Governors and sent out for ratification by the membership by secret mail ballot.

Updates will appear on this site on a regular basis leading up to the June 30 expiration date.