Local IATSE Union Gives Statement On Protest Of AEW Using 2300 Arena, AEW Responds

The local IATSE union that is protesting AEW and the 2300 Arena has given more context on its issues with the events, with AEW responding. As noted, the members of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local 8 are protesting at the 2300 Arena where AEW is kicking off a seven-show residency. The local union has issues a statement on Facebook outlining their issues with the situation, arguing that AEW and the venue have schedule events below the area standards set by the union for similar work.

IATSE’s statement on Facebook lays out what the area standard negotiated by the union is at, reading:

“IATSE Local 8 has been informed that AEW/ 2300 ARENA have scheduled events in the Philadelphia area below the area standards set by IATSE Local 8 for similar work. IATSE Local 8 is investigating the wages, benefits and working conditions under which the employees working this event in our jurisdiction are being paid. It has come to our attention that the wages, benefits and working conditions may be below the prevailing area standard negotiated by IATSE Local 8 in this industry. The standard is as follows:

$ 40.00 Journeyman hourly wages
$ 15% Health & Welfare contribution on gross wages
$ 12% Annuity contribution on gross wages
$ 8% Pension contribution on gross wages
$ 1% Training contribution on gross wages
$ 54.40 All In Total

It is simple economics that the substandard wages, benefits and working conditions that are being paid by AEW/ 2300 ARENA tend to depress the wages, benefits and working conditions negotiated by the union and limit the employment opportunities of workers we represent. In addition, any workers for this event, who are listed as Independent Contractors and paid under 1099, violates the Pennsylvania Construction Workplace Misclassification Act (Act 72). Employers who violate Act 72 can face criminal and administrative penalties, including fines and potential stop-work orders.

This letter is not a request that you enter into collective bargaining with our union or that you refuse to employ any individual or group of individuals nor do we intend to interfere with the rights of your employees to work without becoming members of the union. We do not seek to organize your employees nor does this organization seek to represent them.

If we are incorrect with respect to the current wages, benefits, and working conditions being paid, please advise us immediately and submit documentation of your claim to the below address. In the absence of such change, with supporting documentation, we intend to inform the public that AEW/ 2300 ARENA is undermining area standards and that the labor for this event are receiving substandard wages, benefits and working conditions. The method we use to inform, the public may include handbills and bannering at venues where AEW/ 2300 ARENA have scheduled events.”

POST Wrestling, in reporting on the issue, received statements from 2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani, AEW, and a spokesperson with IATSE’s nationwide offices as follows:

2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani: “Our workers are being paid the fair wage that they claim is not being paid.”

AEW: “All Elite Wrestling has paid, and will continue to pay, the prevailing wages to all locals used as part of our residency at the venue and has maintained a great relationship with IATSE Local 8 for previous events held at other venues in Philadelphia. Any current demonstrations being held are between 2300 Arena and IATSE Local 8.”

IATSE: “Our concerns specifically pertain to stagehands. Neither the 2300 Arena nor AEW have provided documentation showing that stagehands are being paid the area standard set by IATSE Local 8, or that workers are not being misclassified as independent contractors.”