Friday, August 20th, 2010

A battle is taking place between a labor union and the producers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week that may cast a shadow over the event in its first season at Lincoln Center.  The Wall Street Journal reports that the labor union, Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is angered over the possibility of not landing the contract to oversee stagehand and theatrical labor for Fashion Week events taking place in the Josie Robertson Plaza, Damrosch Park, or other surrounding areas.  Union President James J. Claffey, Jr. says that, in addition to automatic jurisdiction to work Lincoln Center events at most of the complex’s venues, work at outdoor plazas and surrounding areas is traditionally awarded to the union, though not in a formal agreement.  In the case of Fashion Week, Claffey argues that the union should be awarded the contract for all events.  IMG Fashion, the producers of Fashion Week, are attempting to resolve the dispute prior to the event’s September 9th start date, but some are concerned that the dispute will continue and result in picket lines at the shows.  Meanwhile, Lincoln Center says that there’s not much they can do, as IMG is renting the venues from the center in a five-year contract.  We will keep you posted with any updates about the Fashion Week dispute as they come in.

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Tags: Dispute, Fashion, Fashion Week, IMG Fashion, Josie Robertson Plaza, Labor Union, MB Fashion Week, Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week