Press Releases

Teamsters Statement on Broadway League Lawsuit

Tom O’Donnell, President of Teamsters Local 817, had the following statement on the Broadway League’s lawsuit against casting directors and their union. Local 817 also represents casting directors in the film and television industry.

“We’ve asked for voluntary union recognition of casting directors, but the Broadway League said no. When casting directors ask for health and pension benefits, the League threatens and sues them. To be clear, the casting directors are not attempting to ‘fix prices’, neither in wages nor benefit contributions. They simply want the same workplace fairness and healthcare afforded to everyone else who works on Broadway. Broadway made over a billion dollars last year. Rather than engage in a dialogue with forty working men and women who have been instrumental to their success, the League spouts fake facts, bullies, and files lawsuits. Sound familiar?”