The IATSE wants to make the public aware of unfair working conditions its members are reportedly facing ahead of AEW’s upcoming residency in Philadelphia.
The IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) has started a campaign on social media to protest this week’s events taking place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The union posted the following statement on Twitter/X in support of its local Philadelphia chapter, IATSE 8:
“This week, IATSE Local 8 members are out in force to inform the public that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) events in Philadelphia are failing to meet area standards by paying substandard wages and benefits. When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job opportunities for all entertainment workers in the community. We stand in solidarity with our Local 8 kin as they hold employers accountable and fight to protect the fair standards that entertainment workers deserve!”
The IATSE 8 headquarters is located at 2401 S Swanson Street in Philadelphia, which is a few hundred feet away and across the street from the 2300 Arena. The venue is set to host seven AEW and ROH events over the next three weeks. The group is also protesting in person outside of the arena.
The IATSE stands against the 2300 Arena’s “anti-union” behavior
The IATSE did not specify what “substandard wages and benefits” are being offered for the AEW events at the 2300 Arena. However, the group claims that the following industry standard rates are not being met for the upcoming slate of shows:
- $ 40.00 Journeyman hourly wages
- $ 15% Health & Welfare contribution on gross wages
- $ 12% Annuity contribution on gross wages
- $ 8% Pension contribution on gross wages
- $ 1% Training contribution on gross wages
- $ 54.40 All In Total
It’s worth noting that the 2300 Arena is not a union building, so the issue is not specifically one related to AEW itself. The union members are likely protesting the 2300 Arena’s choice to not use union members. Despite that, the IATSE and Philadelphia’s AFL-CIO are encouraging fans not to attend the AEW events “until 2300 Arena stops its anti-union attacks!”
By contrast, Philadelphia’s Liacouras Center does employ all-union stagehands, including for AEW Dynasty earlier this year. The venue, on the campus of Temple University, has hosted 16 total AEW events since 2019, including the third-ever episode of AEW Dynamite.
AEW will host Dynamite, Collision and the ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view from August 27 through September 11.
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