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OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Shakespeare Festival tech, wardrobe workers vote to unionize If certified, will be third union representing OSF employees Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jun. 11, 2015 at 1:26 PM Updated Jun 11, 2015 at 5:36 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jun. 11, 2015 at 1:26 PM Updated Jun 11, 2015 at 5:36 PM » Social News Technical and wardrobe workers at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival on Wednesday voted resoundingly in favor of joining the large theater union IATSE. The vote was 37 to 25 in favor, with six challenged votes that could not change the outcome. While saying they’re not anti-union, OSF management has met with workers and sought to make the case that crews would be better off without the union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, an affiliate of AFL-CIO. OSF spokeswoman Amy Richard said OSF is not sure what the next steps are, but it could include a review of meetings with the National Labor Relations Board about how the “voting unit” was chosen — that is, what categories of workers were allowed to vote. The voting unit included 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 sought to better its chances by including more workers and the union sought a narrower unit. “The results of the election will be officially certified by the NLRB within five business days if there are no objections. OSF has 14 days following certification to request a review of the hearing defining the bargaining unit,” OSF noted, in a statement. A spokesperson for the union inside OSF has not been identified in the two months leading up to the vote. However, union spokesman Chris Bateman in Portland has said crews wanted representation in decision-making, working conditions and setting pay and benefits, something they’ve not had to date. OSF has wanted production staff to remain nonunion, it said, because they work in repertory with much overlap between departments, so some would be union and some not, thus hampering collaboration and creativity.  “The bargaining unit encompasses a wide diversity of positions with hourly pay rates, ranging from $13 to $23 an hour," says Richards. "All bargaining unit employees are eligible for benefits including health care, vacation, holiday and sick time. Individual health care premiums vary on a sliding scale based on average hours worked per week. Employees have seasonal contracts ranging from six to 10 months." “As for next steps, we’re waiting for the official certification from NLRB,” she says, “and then we’ll see what’s next.” If certified, the IATSE would be the third union at OSF. It already has employees represented by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and, for actors, Equity. 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. 11, 2015 at 1:26 PM Updated Jun 11, 2015 at 5:36 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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