(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – By an overwhelming vote held Monday (August 7th) evening, Members of International Alliance of Theatrical Employee (IATSE) Local 10 overwhelmingly ratified a new and retroactive three-year agreement with Buffalo’s Shea’s Performing Arts Center that features an overall 12% wage increase, a first-time pension and no concessions, Union Officials tell WNYLaborToday.com.

The deal also ensures Labor Peace at the renowned Downtown Performing Arts Center where a number of major and traveling Broadway productions take place on a yearly basis, including Mrs. Doubtfire, which is scheduled for the day after Labor Day in September and coincides with Curtain Up! - a celebration gala of Buffalo’s Theater District and its many stage offerings.

“This is a ‘win-win for everyone and for both sides.’  Mrs. Doubtfire ‘will happen,’” Local 10 President Tom Tucker told WNYLaborToday.com, alluding to the end of any talk of major Labor actions that might have happened at that time had a contract not been negotiated with Shea’s.

“We are ‘all elated that this process has come to an end and that future shows Western New York expects will occur,’” added Local 10 Business Agent Josh Moberly.

Local 10 represents 170 Members, many of whom work at Shea’s during their events. 

Their previous contract with Shea’s expired 13 months ago.

The new contract with Shea’s was overwhelmingly ratified by all but one Member who cast their vote on Monday night at the Union’s Main Street Office, Tucker said.

The new contract, which expires on June 30th, 2025, contains yearly raises of 4%, 4% and 4%, and an additional 1% employer-paid percentage which will go towards the Workers’ Pension Fund - a first in the history of Local 10 at Shea’s, both Tucker and Moberly told WNYLaborToday.com.

Local 10 Members who work as Shea’s also received “full retroactive pay” in the first year of the contract, the IATSE Representative said.

In addition, Local 10 made “no” concessions in the contract, they said.

“We were ‘also able to add some additional language that guarantees’ the work will be performed by Local Ten Members, who will not be replaced or removed,” they also said.

Both Tucker and Moberly tipped their hats to a number of influencers in the Labor and Political Communities, as well as to WNYLaborToday.com for its initial story that focused a public spotlight on the Union’s problems at Shea’s (Read: “We ‘Are All’ Pissed Off” - Two IATSE Locals ‘Fed Up’ With Not Being Able To Finalize A New Contract At Shea’s Buffalo ‘Wonder Aloud How A Promoter More Interested In Getting To Tuscany On Vacation Got Himself A Seat At The Bargaining Table?’ At www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2023/06/14/buffalo-and-western-new-york-labor-news/we-are-all-pissed-off-two-iatse-locals-fed-up-with-not-being-able-to-finalize-a-new-contract-at-shea-s-buffalo-wonder-aloud-how-a-promoter-more-interested-in-getting-to-tuscany-on-vacation-got-himself-a-seat-at-the-bargaining-table/), which helped turn around contentious bargaining between Local 10 and Shea’s management.

“Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation President Peter DeJesus was ‘fantastic’ and ‘we received so much support from so many’ Unions - from the United Auto Workers to the United Steelworkers to the Teamsters and the Communications Workers of America, to name but a few,” Tucker said. “And ‘every’ Elected Official ‘came through for us,’ including the Governor (Kathy Hochul).  Tim Kennedy in the State Senate, Monica Wallace in the State Assembly both got our area’s State Electeds behind us - Mayor (Byron) Brown was involved in multiple calls.”

In addition, Theatrical Wardrobe IATSE Local 783 - which represents 17 Members, also settled on a new contract with Shea’s.

The Local’s three-year contract expired at the end of June 2022 too.

However, WNYLaborToday.com was unable to connect with Local 783 Business Agent Mary Jo Witherell at press time to obtain details on what Local 10 Labor Representatives said was a multi-year deal that also contained a number of positives for that Local’s Membership.

“Our Local was ‘appreciative’ of Shea’s settling with Local (783) ‘and I think it bode well’ (for things turning around at the bargaining table with Local 10),” Tucker said.

Now with a contract in place, both Tucker and Moberly made it a point to tell WNYLaborToday.com that Local 10 looked forward to working with Shea’s and its management team not only during this upcoming Theater Season, but in the future as well.