Community Corner

Stagehands Launch Successful Protest at Brookhaven Amphitheater

Ronkonkoma-based JVC Broadcasting agrees to work with union stagehands for its summer concert series as they did in 2012.

This article was written by Sara-Megan Walsh.

The labor union rats standing outside Brookhaven's Pennysaver Amphitheater on Thursday headed home after successfully snatching up a summer contract. 

Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 and Long Island Stagehands Local 340 have been protesting outside the popular Bald Hill venue since Wednesday looking to gain summer employment for its members. 

"We were protesting the Pennysaver Amphitheater in hopes of having JVC Broadcasting rehire the union employees that had worked at that venue last year," said a Local 817 spokesman via email. 

The union alleged that JV Broadcasting had hired 340 local stagehands to work its summer concerts and events in 2012, but at first refused to hire them back, according to its Facebook page.

However, teamster representatives said an agreement was reached between the local unions and theater on Thursday. Exact details of the agreement were not immediately available on Thursday.

However, Local 817 said "Our hopes have been fulfilled" and has called off their plans to further protest at the theater.  

The Pennysaver Amphitheater held the first of many summers concerts last night with the Counting Crows kicking off the season. Shows are held rain or shine.


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