blue man boycott

Andy Horwitz

I don’t know anything about this, but a Culturebot reader just forwarded the following news item from the AFTRA newsletter:

LABOR UPDATES – FIA calls for Boycott of Blue Man Group.

Canadian Equity – together with the American Federation of Musicians and IATSE – has resolved to take a tough position against the Blue Man Group, a very successful production company that operates in the USA and is now about to franchise in Canada and in the UK. This company is 100% non-union, despite the fact that it has an enormous success and generates huge revenues. FIA has sent a letter of support and is following this matter very closely. You can read more about this campaign and any progress made at Blue Man Group Boycott.

Blue Man Group has always been friends of Performance Space 122. Anybody know anything? Care to discuss?

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19 responses to “blue man boycott”

  1. Eamonn Reil

    I’m an apprentice Stage manager with Canadian Actors Equity, and have been trying to find information on the boycott.

    Equity has made many comments and a web site http://www.bluemanboycott.com, where press release, statements of support, and an open guestbook are avaliable for comment.

    So far Blue man group has put out no information as to why they won’t negotiate.

    A lot of people are getting heated up over this. Non-union/non-association individuals (notice I didn’t say non-talented or non-professional) have been posting in support of BMG, and against Equity, sadly with alot of name calling, and stereotypes.

    Since I am young into my career (only 8 years) I don’t know if alot of this (the basis for anger against the union) is true.

    From the information I have found, I have only seen alot of irritated people making assumptions.

    Because Blue man group is a large organization, Canada is a smaller market in which it’s unions do represent their specified performance art, I don’t see why BMG won’t negotiate. The only info I have from BMG is seecond hand.

    I have loved their music, but I too am trying to make a living working in the arts, and by joining Equity, I can guarantee working conditions and standards. This isn’t to say that BMG does not offer these, but I have found no information from BMG about them. Others have said that BMG is generous and supass basic requirements.

    Some accuse CAEA, IASTE and TMA of being unions/associations trying to flex muscles and are willing to destroy the very theatre industry to make a point. A union will not try to put it’s workers out of work, it will try to guarantee them appropriate work.

    More information is needed for the public to come to a decision, but for myself, until BMG proves otherwise I support the boycott in order to support the standards in the industry I am contributing too.

    Eamonn

    Reply
  2. Susan Wallace

    April 22, 2005. Toronto –

    I am the Executive Director of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and have been personally involved with attempts to negotiate a contract for the engagement of artists to work on the Toronto production. We have been rebuffed at every turn, even when we went down to New York in January of this year. Although Blue Man says they pay over scale, we have yet to receive any confirmation of this. We have also requested, but have not received, information about working conditions, hours of work and time off, pension and health benefits, etc.

    We want Blue Man to come and be a vibrant part of our community. We want their show to run forever. But what we can’t have is a new producer coming in to town who refuses to really join us. In Toronto all major producers work with the professional associations and unions. We’re not closed shop (at least Equity isn’t). The producer can hire any artist it chooses. But once chosen, Equity is the legitimate representative of those artists. We are there to enforce the contract so the artist and the producer can continue to have an artistically productive relationship. We are there to ensure that minimum health and safety standards are adhered to. And we are there to see that the artists who contribute so necessarily to the production are treated fairly.

    The posting above this one raises an interesting question: why aren’t we hearing from Blue Man. They do their reputation no credit by being so cagey and tight-lipped. We are looking for a dialogue, but right now it’s us who are blue in the face.

    If you want to learn more about this issue, please visit the protest website at http://www.bluemanboycott.com and look at the variety of opinions posted. None of the comments are edited. We believe in free and open discussion because these are important issues.

    Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

    Susan Wallace
    Executive Director
    Canadian Actors’ Equity

    Reply
  3. Vvoi

    Well,
    as a complete outsider, from far, far away, I still couldn’t help but notice that the “variety of opinions” on http://www.bluemanboycott.com is namely letters of support. There is simply no other category – or space for comment. I am convinced you meant it when you wrote about the “free and open discussion”, I just don’t know where to look for it.
    Also, the following quote sounds a little… scary:
    “We want Blue Man to come and be a vibrant part of our community. We want their show to run forever. But what we can’t have is a new producer coming in to town who refuses to really join us.”
    I think the expression “to really join us” would require an explanation, otherwise it is difficult to tell what you have to offer in exchange – and thus, what is the difference between a respectable Actors’ Equity and a mob-style monopolizing group.

    Sincerely,
    Vvoi
    new-art.blogspot.com

    Reply
  4. M

    I worked a few times for 58 here in Toronto and all I can say is that these guys are the laziest workers I’ve ever worked with all they care about is their lunch breaks and when they are going in overtime I’ve been in that business for almost 10 years and these guys (union) are destroying the industry, now I know why it is so expensive to go see a concert or a movie when you have to pay a guy $25.00 an hour to sweep a floor on a set!!!

    keep it non-union

    Reply
  5. bruce

    Hi Susan Wallace. A friend of mine from an immensly successful, multi-platinum Canadian Rock Act has landed a gig with the Blue Man Group in Toronto.

    In conversations I have had with him, he has shared nothing but positive things regarding salary, working conditions, and benefits. He couldn’t be happier about how it has all worked out.

    For the first time in his career, he is receiving a regular salary and full health/dental benefits. This type of support is quite rare on the Canadian rock scene, and I am quite happy for him.

    Soooooooooooo, don’t be so upset that they haven’t joined your little group. I don’t know why you are all so angry about this. Bruce.

    Reply
  6. Brenda

    As a member of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, the only thing between myself and a large, rich, powerful entity like the Blue Man Group is the little book called the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA). Good pay, good conditions, benefits can all be offered, but what happens when there is a disagreement between the performer/musician and the producer? I would like to think that I would not have to stand up for myself, by myself in such an instance, but would have the full force of the Association behind me supporting me. I’m no David against Goliath without Equity. The CTA holds the minimum standards and conditions. If the BMG is ready to better these standards, there should be no reason to not sign on. When you come to Canada, you play by Canadian regulations. I don’t think this is so unreasonable.

    Happy performers? We have no inforamion on every little instance in the other venues. Who knows if there were instances of disagreement where the performer backed down? We don’t know. We do know that in the U.S. some productions were mounted under IATSE agreements and that BMG had been a signature under one of the Variety performers’ agreements. This is reasonable, since the memberships are divided into different jurisdictions than in Canada, where CAEA has members in Ballet, Opera, Theatre, Cabaret etc.

    We are not a little group, we are an association of professional performers who believe in the collective agreement that we sent our elected to negotiate with the professional theatres in Canada.

    I’m assuming those who frown on our union are of the Tory colours, cause you sure ain’t NDP or Liberal. Unions serve to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and an actor on a self employed limited income certainly is no match for the massive BMG.

    Besides, I signed on as an actor who would abide by my association’s rules and governance and I think those who would bail because of one well paying job should be ashamed for being such fair weather friends. Agree or disagree, you are either in for better or for worse. You can’t opt in and out anytime you want to. At least if you belong to Equity.

    In response to “why it is so expensive to go see a concert or a movie when you have to pay a guy $25.00 an hour to sweep a floor on a set”, your ticket will still cost the same because the BMG is not quibbling about salaries, just about being signature to our Agreement.

    Bottom line, though, is that I personally totally agree with Equity’s stance and hope no one is going to take cheap shots at we who are standing by our integrity and our brotherhood.

    If you knock down the laws and leave the sanctuary, don’t expect protection to be there, later, when you need it.

    Brenda
    Equity Member, former Executive Councillor

    Reply
  7. anonymous

    What I don’t undertand is why this has become such a large controversy? First of all this is not the unions show. BMG is a large american group and I am quite sure that they know what they are doing and what they are getting themselves into. If they cannot handle it then they would have made arrangements prior. My opinion is that the money hungry union is trying to control the entire arts “scene”. This is their performance, why must their be a boycott against it? Perhaps we can find something better to bitch and complain about? More important things even. If someone is too arrogant to see a performance because their belief of the BMG’s independance then that should be that. If you were in their shoes, and the money anf benefits were better, you cannot say that you would decline because you wanted to be part of a “union”.
    Quit bitching and start acting!

    Reply
  8. Dawn

    Dear Anonymous;
    How can you talk about the money-hungry unions? How much money is in it for the unions? Maybe jobs for three performers(which by the way are going to be American when the show opens in Toronto), a few musicians, some stage crew and technicians. How much money is in it for the Steelworkers who are supporting the boycott at their website? or the Ontario Federation of Labour? I am a member of Canadian Equity, and we’re talking about having access to these jobs for our fellow members. We are not a “little group” Bruce. Right now we are about one and a half million strong–Ontario workers who see this as a worthy cause, and are just trying to make a living in the profession we have trained for. I have just been talking to people from the Screen Actors’ Guild, the Australian performers union, American Equity–and they all support us 100%. We’re not complaining about Blue Man and their show. It’s great if they are paying well. But why are they so afraid to talk to us? Why don’t they want to sit down at the table and work out an agreement with us? We’re actors, we’re not lazy, and we have loud voices. We’re not going away!

    Reply
  9. brenda

    you know what is really unfortunate? That I have now been completely intimidated into not going to see Bluman next week eventhough I have tickets organized…. And if nobody goes to this show then the people who lose are Canadians:performers, musicians, technicians and audiences. Bluman will leave without a breath and find another city to work in and support their economy.
    Brenda

    Reply
  10. indie canadian theatre artist

    susan wallace and canadian equity are a pain in the ass for those of us who are trying to produce our own independant work. she makes it very difficult for us to get anything done without jumping through stupid hoops. i’ve had to do idiotic things like post a bond in case i (as producer) can’t afford to pay myself (as actor). how idiotic is that? equity is only useful with dealing with big companies. but, of course, bmg is a big company – but a big company who wants to work with nonunion actors. and that should be their right. it may not be a money grab but it’s a power grab. i couldn’t give a shit about bmg and wouldn’t have considered going to see them until now. luckily the general public couldn’t give a shit what susan and her dusty bunch of cohorts think and will be happy to support a good show. if it’s a good show.

    Reply
  11. anonymous also

    A few comments. I’m new to this page, and I want to remark on a few things I’ve read that are, in my opinion, from everything I’ve read, false.

    You think BMG should give answers, maybe you should to.

    Why were your members allowed to work in a space that would be deemed so dangerous (hence the rebuilding of the theatre) that over $16 Million would be spent in and around Toronto to rebuild it?

    500,000 members support the boycott? I’d like to know if you did a poll? And what the actual number of people polled were.

    There are many number of small theatres in Toronto with dangerous working environments…why not unionize them?

    I’ve heard that a lot of set came from Union workshops. Is this true?

    I’ve seen a lot of shows close, but very few open. Is this hurting the union. I’m curious.

    From the videos I’ve seen, this show looks like nothing else. Nothing comes close to it. I can’t believe anyone could think this was a “Ballet, Opera, Theatre, Cabaret” show.

    If the show has a good run, won’t it bring more people to Toronto, making it more viable for more shows to open? More tax money into the city? Keeping down our taxes, improving our roads and transit (gas tax $$ remember).

    I happen to agree with the mob mentality. I seems as though I remember a Canada where people used to choose to be unionized. A group from out of town comes in and they’re told they have to conform with the unions or face sanctions (the boycott). Telling your members that you can’t work for the “non-professional and non-talented cast and crew” or you’ll face sanctions. Isn’t this stretching the boundaries of good faith. Thank you for using the term “Non-union/non-association individuals”.

    I heard they rehearsed at the Elgin Theatre. When did it go non-union?

    I was curious to see what all the fuss was about, so I went by on my way to work the other day. The lobby looks awesome, and it not even done yet! It had to at least have cost the $250,000 they said it did. There’s at least 20 or 30 wide screen TVs on the walls and ceiling.

    “Ensuring that the minimum health and safety standards are adheared to”…that’s a good line. To bad that anyone has right to refuse work if they do not think it’s safe, not just Union employees.

    I’ve been to many concerts at the Air Canada Centre. They were all great! It’s staffed by IATSE 58 right? Why isn’t it listed on the sign down the road from the theatre urging people not to go? Through a little searching I found out that I’ve seen shows in places like Rogers Centre…that have contracts with the people staffing BMG! And those shows were every bit as good!

    I’m a liberal, and I think you can see who’s side I’m on. And I kinda resent being called a tory. Especially considering the fact that the conservatives in this country are trying to topple a duly elected government.

    Boycott the boycott.

    Picket the Picketers

    Reply
  12. Equity is Stupid

    Equity needs a massive shaking up. They act like theatre is a widget factory, demanding very rigid conditions making it next to impossible to create anything but the same old shit. they assume that theatre companies are wealthy bosses bent on exploiting their hapless defenseless workers. it’s idiotic – most artisitic directors (for better or worse) are/have been actors/writers/directors and are more interested in running a smooth and inspiring rehearsal than they are in squeezing the blood out of their employees. theatres in canada are fucking broke and they need to be cut some flexibility so they can reinvent how they do stuff, make some interesting work and start to win back the public’s interest. equity doesn’t have a clue how to create work and they should be bumped out of the loop. they don’t get it – this is not big business, it’s not a factory floor, plays are not machines. equity is not protecting anything but mediocrity. and like “indie theatre artist” above pointed out, they don’t have a single clue how smaller companies work, making it next to impossible to take a show to a foreign festival. if a bunch of equity actors want to work for less and take a cut in their per diem AS AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHOW’S (AND, IN TURN, THEIR) FUTURE THEN THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO. when fucking susan wallace bankrupts a theatre company because they’re trying to hook up international contacts she’s doing nobody any favours. CLUELESS!!!

    Reply
  13. brenda

    yeah…fuck stupid Susan Wallace…shes an idjit who wants some attention. Maybe she should join the liberal party.

    Reply
  14. anonymous also

    Anyone going to “warmly welcome” the “invitation only” guests June 19th? Do the unions think everyone is stupid, except them? I”d like to see what happens when this goes ahead? Wouldn’t it be great to see the union leaders hauled away in handcuffs? After all, what they seem to be planning is of course illegal, and they’ve been made aware of that fact! Why are they making Toronto look bad? By “losing” one show (which they never had to begin with), and all they’re tactics will make people not want to come to Toronto. We’ll all lose because they think they’re right…and they’re not. STOP RUINING ARTS IN THE CITY. Get along with them, they’ll get along with you…and TOGETHER you can re-vitalize the city after losing so much with 9/11 and SARS and everything else that has impacted the economy. With everyone working together, you can turn Toronto into a mecca of cultural, artistic, and financial endevours. The unions may not realize this because of narrow-mindedness, but having Blue Man here will ultimatley bring the unions more money and jobs. Stop complaining, work on bettering your unions, and stop pissing the community off!

    Reply
  15. anonymous also

    Hey, Martin Bragg, Artistic Director of CanStage has come out IN SUPPORT of Blue Man Group! A little late…but good nonetheless.

    Reply
  16. anonymous

    Martin Bragg has written a letter of apology to the Blue Man Group Boycott Coalition for his comments which were printed in the Globe and Mail on June 20th.

    In that letter, he states: “The quote which appeared in the Globe and Mail was taken completely out of context.”

    Reply
  17. anonymous also

    I didn’t see the follow up letter. Since he’s the AD at a Union house, do you think he was pressured into rebutting his statement?

    Reply
  18. larry larry

    Good for Blue Man. AFM and IATSE have drifted so far from the original concept of unionization that they are now the bad guys; stifling creativity and nearly strangling the performing arts field.

    Reply
  19. randolph

    agree with larry larry and you can include USA in the spoilt pot. USA's net effect on the market for designers is to conspire with theaters to hold down fees. They aren't a union, they function as business partners with the producers.

    Reply

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