IATSE International President Thomas C. Short has sanctioned the strike of Broadway stagehands Local One against the League of American Theatres and Producers. The League represents the Shubert Organization and Jujamcyn Theatres. The Nederlander Organization has been sitting in on negotiations. Under the International Union’s rules, a Local Union is required to obtain strike authorization from the International President. The International President may make efforts to resolve the dispute before granting such a request.

Short joined with the Local Union’s bargaining team and entered into lengthy discussions with the employers that began early Wednesday and lasted into the early morning hours Thursday of this week, resuming later Thursday morning. He believed progress was being made since both the Local Union and the employers were adjusting their positions in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues. Short, who had to leave the discussions Thursday afternoon to deal with the devastating impact the Writers Guild strike is having on thousands of IATSE members, thought a deal would be made that day.

Short commented, “I am dismayed that just hours after my departure the employers made a 180 degree turn and began bargaining in a regressive manner. This action demonstrates a clear lack of will on the employers’ part to reach an agreement and leaves me no choice but to authorize a strike.” Short expressed his surprise that the employers would continue an impasse that would lead to the closing of Broadway theatres during the holiday season.