I came across this picture posted by Chris Heaphy from IATSE Local 9. It shows him and his union brothers and sisters standing strong on the Chevrolet Court stage during the labor day parade at New York State Fair.
These are the faces that make the shows happen at the Fair, The Landmark, OnCenter Theaters, War Memorial, Amphitheater, and all over CNY. With over 1000 local charters in the US alone, this group represents barely a fraction of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage employees who are currently unemployed.
Syracuse’s IATSE Local 9 membership I would estimate at 160 card-carrying members – with many more trainees and extras. The number of union stagehands alone out of work is astronomical, add in touring crews, non-union labor, and the folks that provide sound, lighting, staging, busses, trucks, merch, etc…. it is mind-blowing how far-reaching the impact of shuttering the entertainment industry is.
God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t we’ll be back to work and enjoying live music by this time next year.
(submitted by Stacey Waterman)