Englert Theatre workers secure union contract

Englert Theatre's bargaining unit and management have ratified and signed a new union contract, effective June 1. The agreement guarantees immediate and annual wage increases, grievance and arbitration procedures, minimums for hours worked, guaranteed meal and break protection, and daily and turnaround overtimes. "We are extremely grateful to IATSE’s International and Local 690 for their support and guidance to fruition," said Ioannis Alexakis, an Englert production technician. "We thank the Englert for their earnest participation in the process. We are eager to see how engaging in collective bargaining will benefit the organization, workers and community." Englert Theatre employees voted unanimously 13-0 to unionize under IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local 960. In April, both sides expressed a willingness to reach an agreement sooner rather than later. "I have felt a lot of tension over the past year as we worked toward making this happen," said Justin Comer, an Englert Theatre production technician, in a June 6 email to the CBJ. "As soon as the deal was done and the contract went into effect, I felt great relief." He noted that the contract will increase quality of life for workers that constantly balance multiple jobs, as well as provide extra incentive for workers to pick up night shifts. "In our new contract, workers are guaranteed pay for three hours for working a load-out shift," he explained. "This compensates the workers appropriately for dedicating their night to the theater, and it also makes working the theater shift more attractive when presented with a choice between two jobs. "This job just got a lot better, and I think our working relationship with management will be a lot easier going forward," Mr. Comer added. Executive Director John Schickedanz has not yet returned a request for comment.