IATSE Local 329 and NEPA Labor rally in Scranton

[caption caption="( L to R): Patti Ann Martin IATSE 329 Former Secretary, Hannah Martin IATSE 329 Women's Group, Ironworker Local Member, Don Martin - President IATSE Local 329, Roxanne Pauline IATSE 329, Colleen Eagen Gerrity - Spokesperson for Congressman Matt Cartwright CD 8, Rosemary Boldan President AFT 11743Bill Cockerill IATSE 329 Political Director, Thom Welby Chief of Staff for the 113th PA State Rep Marty Flynn."] [/caption]

On Thursday, August 20, 2020, our brothers and sisters of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, IATSE Local 329, and NEPA Labor, held a rally in Scranton, PA. Standing in front of the John Mitchell Labor Statue, speakers Don Martin IATSE 329 President, Rose Mary Boland AFT 1147, Thom Welby, Chief of Staff for the Office of Representative Marty Flynn, Colleen Eagen Gerrity from the Office of Congressman Matt Cartwright Office, and Roxanne Pauline addressed the socially distanced crowd.

“Most people not aware of the stress and strain that local stagehands and entertainment venues are dealing with today,” said Don Martin President of IATSE Local 329 Stagehands.  “We need people to realize how the actions, or lack of action, in Washington DC has affected us right here at home.”

One way is to address the challenge faced by workers on a daily basis. How are entertainment workers, who will not work again until 2021, to meet the financial challenges in a pandemic?

How do they safely go back to work when their industry comes back? IATSE Local 329 Stagehands and other NEPA labor unions in Scranton are taking action to speak out, for all workers that need to be able to sleep at night, knowing tomorrow they will still have a place to sleep and food on the table.  No one could have imagined a situation this bad. Sadly, this situation could have been made better, if actions were taken sooner

“As a way to address the plight of entertainment workers in a Covid world,” said event organizer Roxanne Pauline, “IATSE Local 329 Stagehands and NEPA Labor are taking action to speak out against the dangers Donald Trump presents to organized labor and Pennsylvania communities. Let’s remind all elected officials who really has the power- The People!”

 

Represented at the event were PA AFL-CIO Labor 2020, ASFCME District Council 87, UFCW 1776, Scranton Federation of Teachers 1147, IATSE 329 Women’s Committee, Ironworkers, Congressman Matt Cartwright CD 8, PA State Rep Marty Flynn 113th.