By Brandon Thurston & Jack Wannan
A local chapter of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is protesting outside the 2300 Arena, which is scheduled to begin an AEW residency this evening.
“It has come to our attention that the wages, benefits and working conditions may be below the prevailing area standard negotiated by IATSE Local 8 in this industry,” the union wrote on Facebook.
IATSE represents stagehands, technicians, and other workers in the entertainment industry across the U.S. and Canada. Local 8 is the organization’s Philadelphia-area chapter.
IATSE Local No. 8’s standard sees stagehands get paid $40 an hour. When adding up health and welfare contributions, pension, annuity and training, it’s an all-in hourly total of $54.40.
2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani disputed the claim that stagehands at his venue aren’t being paid to that standard, in an email on Wednesday to POST Wrestling.
“Our workers are being paid the fair wage that they claim is not being paid,” Artigiani wrote.
Artigiani didn’t say whether stagehand pay at the 2300 Arena meets the standards cited by IATSE, but added that he has more details to share after Wednesday.
AEW issued a statement to POST Wrestling defending its pay practices and distancing itself from the dispute.
“All Elite Wrestling has paid, and will continue to pay, the prevailing wages to all locals used as part of our residency at the venue and has maintained a great relationship with IATSE Local 8 for previous events held at other venues in Philadelphia,” an AEW spokesperson said. “Any current demonstrations being held are between 2300 Arena and IATSE Local 8.”
IATSE Local No. 8 began protesting outside the 2300 Arena on Tuesday, claiming that stagehands hired to work at AEW’s stretch of events there are being paid below the local union’s standard rates.
Local No. 8 claimed that being paid below the $54.40 per hour standard undermines their collectively bargained agreement. The organization’s lengthy message on Facebook added that they’re not seeking to unionize 2300 Arena workers, specifies that they’re protesting against having their compensation undercut, and want documentation showing otherwise
“It is simple economics that the substandard wages, benefits and working conditions that are being paid by AEW/2300 ARENA tend to depress the wages, benefits and working conditions negotiated by the union and limit the employment opportunities of workers we represent,” they said.
In a video uploaded to their Facebook page, a person representing Local No. 8 is seen describing the 2300 Arena as a “non-union” venue, calling on AEW to take action.
A spokesperson with IATSE’s nationwide offices stated to POST Wrestling that the picket began on Tuesday, the day before the first AEW event at the venue, and will continue throughout the residency at the building formerly known as the ECW Arena.
“Our concerns specifically pertain to stagehands,” the spokesperson said, referring to the numerous workers who often set up and tear down equipment, including lighting, sound, and stage elements. “Neither the 2300 Arena nor AEW have provided documentation showing that stagehands are being paid the area standard set by IATSE Local 8, or that workers are not being misclassified as independent contractors.”
AEW is scheduled to present seven events at the 2300 Arena, beginning on Wednesday night with a live episode of Dynamite. The residency is expected to stretch until September 11, wrapping up with a taping of Collision.
IATSE’s national team also told POST Wrestling that Local 8 is prepared for a “one-off collective bargaining agreement” for this week’s events.