IATSE Local 8 Business Agent Comments On Dispute With AEW & 2300 Arena

The business agent for IATSE Local 8 recently discussed the union’s current dispute with the 2300 Arena amid AEW’s residency at the venue. As noted, the local chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is protesting the venue as AEW holds its residency in the arena, taking issue with the fact that the building is paying below the value negotiated for stagehands in the market.

The protest has continued this week and Phil Effinger, the business agent for Local 8, spoke with POST Wrestling about the matter. He noted that their issue is more with the 2300 Arena than AEW, who they have worked with in other Philadelphia venues. You can see highlights and a comment from 2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani below:

On their protest of the arena: “While the dispute is largely between us and the 2300 Arena, we do find it unfortunate that AEW chose for this run to go to a non-union venue. We’ve had a long, fruitful relationship with AEW, and in the past, they have elected to come to some of our other venues in Philly, such as the Liacouras Center, to host their productions, and we have a great time, and we really enjoy working with them.”

On the arena’s previously hosting NXT: “There have been productions in the past that were more of a one-off thing where we have been able to work it out with 2300 Arena to pay the prevailing rate… [He said he didn’t know whether that included NXT]. Folks might see a little more [action from IATSE] out there for this AEW residency than they may have in the past. I’ve seen a lot on social media where folks think we’re playing favorites and things like that.”

On their hope for a longer-term union deal with the venue: “Our hope is that we can sign a contract that covers the work beyond AEW. Because once AEW leaves, our fear is that Roger will just go back to paying substandard wages to his stagehands at any productions in the future. What we’re looking for is a contract that covers the workers that are already there and the work that they do. We don’t want to replace anyone. In fact, it is against our constitution bylaws to replace anybody as a result of an organizing drive, because those workers who are already there are entitled to keep that work.”

Roger Artigiani on potentially hosting more AEW shows there: “I don’t see a company like [AEW] coming back to us. I’d be very surprised if they do. Not because of what we do here, our hospitality, our ability to put on these shows. It’s just that our footprint isn’t really made for this. We don’t have the space. [AEW has] a lot of equipment, a lot of stuff.”