NLRB Rules on Union Charges Accusing Rhino NW of Unfair Labor Practices

SEATTLE, May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A complaint alleging unfair labor practices and notice of hearing was issued by Region 19 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against event staffing services Rhino NW, paving the way to a negotiated contract for some 70 local riggers.  In the complaint, issued on April 27, 2016, the NLRB alleges that Rhino NW unlawfully retaliated against riggers who serve as leaders in the union organizing drive to negotiate a contract.

The complaint is designed to force Rhino NW to honor its employees' federally protected collective bargaining rights.  The hearing is scheduled to take place on July 26, 2016, 14 months following the date the original petition was filed by International Alliance of Theatrical Stage (IATSE) Local 15 seeking to represent the riggers of Rhino.  Since the NLRB officially certified Local 15 as the exclusive bargaining representative of these workers, Rhino has refused to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with Local 15 violating federal law.

Sal Ponce, President of IATSE Local 15, said that this action by the federal government is another important step toward getting a contract. "The riggers are simply trying to bring Rhino NW to the table to negotiate a fair contract," said Ponce. "In the end, we want nothing more than a contract that provides a fair wage and industry-standard working conditions."

Rhino has consistently refused to bargain with IATSE Local 15 despite having been ordered to do so by the federal government.  It has removed union-supporting employees from its schedule and deactivated their employment in order to punish them for standing up for the union and to discourage other employees from exercising their rights.  

"The employees have been attempting to collectively bargain for more than a year. At this time they have little job security, no sick leave or health insurance, lack family-friendly scheduling, and work at hourly rates well below industry standards. They need and deserve a contract," said Ponce.

The riggers do the critical backstage work at Western Washington live events and concerts such as The Gorge (George), xFinity Arena (Everett), White River Amphitheater (Auburn), Tacoma Dome (Tacoma), and occasionally at the two Seattle sports stadiums, Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field.

Rhino Northwest, LLC, is a Fife, Washington-based affiliate of Rhino Staging, an Arizona-based full service staging, rigging and event production company providing technical staffing for events nationwide. 

About IATSE Local 15

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage (IATSE) Local 15 fields some 750 technicians in Western Washington. These professional stage employees provide the lights, sound, rigging, scenery, and audio/visual technical support necessary for every production and event.  IATSE Local 15's responsibility is to support the efforts of these workers to organize and bargain fair contracts and assist in their struggle for a job security, fair scheduling, and livable wages and benefits. 

Local 15 is one of 375 local unions affiliated within IATSE that are organized to represent some 125,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1893, IATSE members work in all forms of live theater, motion picture and television production, trade shows and exhibitions, and concerts; virtually all of behind-the- scenes workers. Local 15 was granted a charter in Seattle in 1894, the 15th local in the nation.  (URL http://www.ia15.org)

SOURCE International Alliance of Theatrical Stage (IATSE) Local 15

Related Links

http://www.ia15.org