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OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Vote set on whether to unionize some Oregon Shakespeare Festival employees Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jun. 2, 2015 at 7:51 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jun. 2, 2015 at 7:51 PM » Social News Technical and wardrobe workers and some other employees at Oregon Shakespeare Festival will vote June 10 on whether to organize with IATSE, a large theater union, National Labor Relations Board ruled Friday. The ruling said almost half the production staff would be in the voting unit. Seeking to prevail in the election, the union had asked for a smaller number, and OSF for a larger number. The voting unit includes sound and lighting technicians, master electricians, stagehands, video workers, wardrobe workers, wig-hair masters and maintenance, part- or full-time, if they’ve worked more than 15 days in the past year. OSF spokeswoman Amy Richard said the Festival doesn’t agree with the decision and doesn’t believe unionizing is in the interest of employees or the Festival. To date, such show crew workers have simply been paid a scale of wages and benefits set in the budgeting process of the Festival, with no negotiation, said Richard. The Festival does not oppose unions, she said, and has two, Equity for actors, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. “However, because of the way we work in repertory,” she said, “there is overlap between departments, so the ability to collaborate can advance more completely and fully” if everyone involved is not divided between union and non-union. The union sought a voting unit of 62 employees and OSF sought to have 147 employees vote. The unit decided upon is 75, said Richard.  Chris Bateman, representative and legal organizer for IATSE in Portland, said OSF crew members asked for representation and “a voice in discussions with management, so they can participate in making the workplace better and be involved in the process there.” Bateman has met with crew members and said, at beginnings of talks a month ago, “They have a desire to develop efficiencies and have a voice in decisions that affect them. The crew want to be listened to by employers ... They feel OSF is trying to create a third party by having meetings with workers to express their (OSF) opinion. That means management definitely has their own point of view. The employers are saying that having a union doesn’t give them the flexibility they’re looking for. The workers want assurance of working conditions and what’s expected of them.” A similar election for such workers was held in 1999 but lost by one vote. The workers will vote from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, at the Black Swan Theatre, with ballots counted immediately after. The union is part of the AFL-CIO. The ruling was signed by Ronald Hooks of the NLRB in Seattle. Both sides were represented by Portland lawyers. Petitioning workers at OSF could not be reached for comment for this story. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jun. 2, 2015 at 7:51 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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