Michelle Obama in Labor Dispute at Tacoma Dome

[Omaha Steve]

For immediate release March 21, 2019

Contact: Jamie Horwitz, 202/549-4921(cell), [e-mail]



Labor Dispute Involving Michelle Obama at Tacoma Dome

Union Members to Protest at Sun.,

March 24 Book Event



Stage Employees Union also to Hold Fri., March 22 News Briefing Detailing Substandard Conditions at Tacoma Dome,

and Mrs. Obama’s Inaction



Tacoma, Wash. -- Former First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to appear Sunday, March 24 at the Tacoma Dome for an event promoting Becoming, her recently released autobiography. Recently a high-profile labor dispute has unfolded around the facility.



Riggers and other backstage workers have regularly been bannering and leafleting audiences at Live Nation events in Tacoma with the message, “Do you know what’s happening backstage?” Hardworking people backstage at the Tacoma Dome receive no health care insurance and have serious safety concerns for what are often dangerous jobs. Members of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and supporters plan to protest these poor conditions outside the Tacoma Dome during the March 24 Obama book event, which is being promoted by Live Nation.



The union has repeatedly reached out to Ms. Obama over the past two months asking for her support in this labor dispute – she has been silent.



PLEASE NOTE: IATSE will hold a briefing for Seattle-are media about the dispute at 10:30 a.m., Fri. March 22, at the Washington State Labor Council, 321 16th Ave. South, in Seattle. The Labor Council is located between South Main and South Jackson Streets.



“The Obama Administration made history and made American families more secure by extending health care to millions of people,” said Daniel Di Tolla, IATSE international vice president and the union’s Director of Stagecraft. “We have been asking Ms. Obama for two months to stand up for riggers and stagehands working on her production who lack health care benefits.”



Live Nation, the promoter of Michelle Obama’s book tour, and The Tacoma Dome have engaged Rhino Staging Northwest to provide rigging and other services. Rhino workers voted to organize a union in 2015 to remedy unfair and substandard working conditions. The company has yet to negotiate a fair contract, despite an order to bargain from the U.S. National Labor Relations Board.



“Rhino Staging Northwest has personnel policies and operations which are not consistent with the values you have represented throughout your career,” wrote IATSE President Matthew Loeb in a letter to Ms. Obama two months ago on Jan. 23. The union has reached out to her office and those around the former First Lady on several occasions over the past eight weeks. Her book event, initially scheduled for February, was rescheduled for this week.



Mr. Loeb asked Ms. Obama to “consider having a discussion with Live Nation and the Tacoma Dome” to advocate for Rhino workers so that workers would have fair treatment during her appearance in Tacoma.



Ms. Obama has not responded. In contrast, her husband, former President Obama, held campaign events staffed by workers with the protections of union contracts, including health care and other benefits.



“When you take the stage to talk about your journey from Chicago to Washington and your fight for fairness and health care for those who have gone without,” wrote Loeb, “please look backstage as well.”



For more information see cover story in Seattle Weekly.



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[eppur_se_muova]

1. LOL, this was truncated to "Michelle Obama in labor" on the home page ...

For a second there, I thought I had missed out on a big announcement !

[geardaddy]

2. They don't get healthcare from their union?

Isn't it up to them as members to demand it?

Have they made an issue of it with other performances or events?

Have they contacted Live Nation to protest the working conditions?

Have they contacted the Tacoma Dome owners to protest the working conditions?