[e-drive] EQUIFLASH [NO PROGRESS WITH BLUE MAN GROUP TALKS]

[caea-l at list.web.net]

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No Progress made with Blue Man Group
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A meeting scheduled between representatives of CAEA and Blue Man Group
which took place in New York on Friday January 21 did not achieve the
hoped-for breakthrough in contract negotiations.  While BMG reps
professed to be "open" to a dialogue with CAEA and the other affected
unions and associations, the final message was clear:  BMG will not
become a signatory to any union or professional association contract.
 
The meeting, attended by CAEA Executive Director Susan Wallace,
Controller Douglas Irons and Business Rep Manager Keith Davidson began
late and was cut short early due to "other commitments" of BMG founder
Matt Goldman.  However, during the short conversation that did occur,
Equity repeatedly asked this producer to enumerate any possible problems
that could exist for BMG with an Equity contract for performers and
stage management. While the producers could list none, and acknowledged
the distinct advantages for performers and technicians, they steadfastly
refused to consider signing a contract that could provide minimum fees,
working conditions, health insurance, pension contributions and a
dispute resolution mechanism for the artists covered.
 
Blue Man Group CEO Patrick Willingham and Jennie Willink, Director of
Creative Affairs had promised to provide details of the performance
schedule, pension plan, minimum salaries and health insurance plans at
this meeting but these have yet to materialize.
 
CAEA will update its IATSE and TMA colleagues on the results of the
meeting and further strategies will be implemented to bring this
producer to the bargaining table before the opening of BMG in the newly
refurbished and renamed Panasonic Theatre (formerly the New Yorker) in
Toronto in June 2005.  
 
In the meantime, CAEA members are reminded that the Executive Committee
of Council has determined that the Toronto production of BLUE MAN GROUP
is operating within CAEA jurisdiction and must adhere to the Independent
Theatre Agreement (ITA) if they wish to engage Equity members.
 
Until such time as the producer signs on to the ITA and engages Equity
members under an ITA engagement contract, members of Equity are asked to
refrain from working for BLUE MAN GROUP.  Members are advised that CAEA
will not grant permission to work for this engager without reference to
an Equity contract.
 
Until such time as CAEA has finalized contract terms with this producer,
members of Canadian Actors' Equity should not agree to any engagement
with Blue Man Group.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the rights and
responsibilities of membership in the Association, or any producer with
whom a member may wish to be engaged, please contact our offices.

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Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
Tel: 416-867-9165
Fax: 416-867-9246
e-mail: communications at caea.com