CHICAGO — IATSE Local 2 took aim at JAM Productions on Oct. 22, saying that “just as Local Two was about to file its petition” to the NRLB on behalf of stagehands hoping to organize, the local promoter/music venue operator “fired the entire stage crew at the Riviera, totaling over 30 employees.”
Local 2’s release echoed complaints from dismissed stagehands circulated in the form of a flyer that called for a boycott of shows staged at JAM Productions’ three Chicago venues until the dismissed workers were hired back. That flyer was distributed both on- and offline.
JAM Productions, which operates three Chicago venues — the Riviera (2,500 capacity), Vic Theatre (1,400 capacity) and Park West Theatre (900 capacity), did not immediately respond with a notice rebutting Local 2’s complaints on its website, www.jamusa.com.
In response to emailed queries from local media, JAM Productions owner Jerry Mickelson was quoted as simply stating that “there are two sides to every story.”
Among those dismissed were longtime backstage veterans including Jolly Roger, who told The Chicago Tribune he felt “blindsided” by the dismissal after 30 years with the company.
For now, at least, the shows at the Riviera appear to be going on, with the roster of concerts set for Oct. 23 and 24 including Timeflies and The Wonder Years & Motion City Soundtrack and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 including Marina & the Diamonds and Circa Survive.
