A labor dispute that disrupted performances at the Kimmel Center, Merriam Theater and Academy of Music is now over.
Kimmel Center management and the union representing stagehands, treasurers, ticket sellers, wardrobe workers and ushers announced a new, three-year contract agreement Friday.
"We do have a tentative deal and we are going back to work and the strike is over," said Mike Barnes of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The workers staged a daylong strike on October 1st, then agreed to a cooling off period. But uncertainty over the bargaining forced the postponement or cancellation of some performances.
Barnes apologized to customers for the cancellation or rescheduling of any shows. "We have a motto. The show must go on. Unfortunately that didn't happen a few times during these labor negotiations and for that we do apologize," said Barnes.
He called the contract a "win win." It covers about 1,000 stagehands and other employees at the Kimmel Center, Merriam Theater and Academy of Music.
