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Central
Ontario Regional Council of Carpenters,
Drywall and Allied Workers
222 Rowntree Dairy Road Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 9T2
Tel: 905.652.4140 Fax: 905.652.4139
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UNITED BROTHERHOOD
OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA
April
28, 2005
Blue Man
Group
c/o PANASONIC THEATRE
651 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M4Y 1Z9
To Whom
It May Concern:
Re:
Blue Man Group at Panasonic Theatre
This correspondence
is to advise you of the concerns of the Carpenters Union with
respect to the item noted above Firstly, I should note that
we appreciate your contracting to unionized employers and
trades for the renovation/construction of the Panasonic Theatre
facility. For over 100 years members of our Union have been
'building' Toronto and investing in skills development and
training for the next generation of carpenters. The Carpenters
Union places a high priority on the value and maintenance
of area standards, known in the industry as the "fair
or prevailing wage". Employing union firms is the most
efficient way in which to meet and maintain area standards,
as well as to make use of the highest skills available in
Toronto's construction market.
As I understand
it, maintaining area standards is one of the crucial issues
brought forward by local entertainment unions such as IATSE,
the Canadian Actors Equity Association and the Toronto Musician's
Association in their ongoing dispute with the Blue Man Group
Toronto.
How this
issue impacts on local theatrical and entertainment organizations
is also an issue to the Carpenters Union. During the worst
years of the recession of the early 1990's when we had membership
unemployment of 50% and many members were without work for
up to two years, the Construction of the Princess of Wales
Theatre by Mirvish Productions provided needed employment
during a time of crisis! It put our members back to work employing
our skills in the life of our city.
We respect
the decision of the Mirvish organization to build union during
that time and there is a real loyalty from the Carpenters
for this choice. Therefore any development that may undermine
the vitality of the local theatrical industry (which includes
Mirvish Productions) thru the lowering of area standards by
use of non-union performers and stage hands is of great concern
to us. We call on you to engage in discussions with our local
theatrical unions resulting in a resolution of differences.
Thank
you for your attention to this matter.
Yours
truly,
Mike
Yorke
Director, Political Action
c. Canadian
Actors Equity Association
Mirvish Productions
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