Local 829 back with IATSE

Artists back on scene, split from Brotherhood

By NICK MADIGAN

After a nasty spat with their parent union, the 2,700 members of United Scenic Artists Local 829 have abandoned the Intl. Brotherhood of Painters & Allied Trades.

The scenic artists, lighting designers, art directors and others under New York-based Local 829 will again be part of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which last had them under its wing in 1918.

"It's terrific to be where we should have been for the last 81 years and we are looking forward to working with the IATSE and locals across the country," said Scenic Artists business agent Paul Moore.

The move comes after a court fight between the local and the IBPAT over 829's desire to end the relationship. A vast majority of the local's members, citing lack of support from the Washington-based brotherhood, had voted in a referendum to part ways, a decision the parent union did not take kindly. The local brings in about $500,000 a year in dues.

On April 14, IBPAT president Michael Monroe wrote a letter to Moore and other officials at 829 saying the union was placing the local under trusteeship "because of substantial and pervasive disloyalty to the brotherhood."

On the same day, Monroe "arrived at our N.Y. office with 15 henchmen" in an attempt to "take control of this local through the use of physical force and intimidation," 829 prez Beverly Miller and vice prexy Mark Rudolf wrote to members in an e-mail message.

Police were called and the two sides ended up the next day in court, where federal judge Richard Owen issued a temporary restraining order against the IB-PAT, vacating the trusteeship on the grounds that the local "ought to have the unfettered right of non-association" with its parent union.

Monroe, in an April 20 letter to AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, accused IATSE of "engaging in an illegal raid on the membership of another labor organization." Monroe was unavailable Wednesday for comment on the local's departure.