IA revokes charter

Leaders act against Vegas local after hearing

By DAVE MCNARY

Short

Leaders of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees have taken the extraordinary step of revoking the charter of Las Vegas-based IA Local 720, which reps at least 1,300 stagehands and other entertainment industry employees.

The IA exec board said it took the action following a hearing last month to review allegations that included breakdown in the democratic process, lack of organization and various violations of the IA constitution.

However, no charges were filed against individuals, according to an IA spokeswoman, who also said Local 720 members would continue to work under existing IA contracts.

IA prexy Thomas Short said the hearing was prompted by correspondence from the officers of Local 720, including a request that the IA assume control of the local. Short said a trusteeship would not remedy the problems.

"The inadequacy of a trusteeship lies not in the fact that the trustees' control over the affairs of Local 720 would be of limited duration, but in the need for the new organizing and membership campaigns to promise existing and future members a functional and stable union," he asserted.

"Local 720 is not that union now and a trusteeship cannot transform it into that kind of union. The democratic procedures in Local 720 have broken down and cannot be restored."

The IA said Local 720's building and assets will be used solely to benefit present and future members in the Las Vegas area. It also said it will conduct monthly membership meetings and create an advisory committee to assist in organizing new members and creating work opportunities for members.