IATSE Pickets U2

A branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees picketed U2 May 28 when the band did a video shoot at Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, prior to a May 29 show at Canad Inns Stadium.

Local 63 members were there to protest U2’s use of non-union stagehands at the May 29 stadium concert. U2 was at Burton Cummings Theatre, along with non-union stagehands, to shoot a documentary about the band, according to TheWrap.

“The members of Local 63 have been working in legitimate theater and at every major concert event in Winnipeg for over 100 years,” IATSE President Matthew Loeb said. “They had agreed to match costs of any non-union labor provider working on the U2 concert. The International will continue to support the efforts of the members of Local 63 to ensure that labor standards are maintained.”

Photo: AP Photo
Azteca Stadium, Mexico City.

A U2 publicist hadn’t responded to TheWrap’s inquiry.