The Irish rock group, U2, is being accused of “union busting” by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) for using non-union workers to shoot a documentary in Manitoba.
According to IATSE Local 63 business agent John Gallagher, his union had an arrangement with concert promoter Live Nation to provide half the labour for the giant show, but that agreement was withdrawn – he says at the request of True North [operator of Winnipeg’s Canad Inns Stadium and the MTS Centre].
“It’s union-busting,” Gallagher said, noting that unionized crews were used for the U2 360 show in other Canadian cities.
True North on Friday disputed the claim that the agreement was withdrawn at their request. The company said it was its understanding that IATSE declined the offer to supply half the labour for the live show.
[snip]
The union felt U2 might take up their cause and go to bat for IATSE, given the band’s long-standing record for advocacy. “It just didn’t make sense to us: If they’re so interested in human rights, why would they prefer a non-union work force? A unionized work force promotes workers’ rights.”
No word whether the Irish rockers will be the subject of an Amnesty International protest for their ‘inhumane’ views on workers’ rights.
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