Stagehands Local 6 pickets convince Outback Presents to hire five union hands for show at Skyview Drive-In

Belleville, IL VICTORY – Stagehands Local 6 has been picketing shows at the Skyview Drive-In since mid-September in an effort to get promoters to hire union stagehands. Their persistence has paid off. Following an Oct. 17 picket against Hotbox and Outback Presents for hiring non-union hands and paying substandard wages and benefits, Local 6 Business Manager Michael Beckman said Outback agreed to hire two union hands on the set-up for comedian Bert Kreischer’s Hot Summer Nights show on Oct. 20, plus three more stagehands for the load-out, for a total of five union hands on the load-out. Local 6 picketed two previous shows at the drive-in, hosted by Christian music promoter Awakening Events on Sept. 17 and Oct. 14. Local 6 members helping deliver the message at the Oct. 17 picket included (from left) Glenn Wesley Wells, Greg Stone, Danny Jarvis and Jeff Dattoli. With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling live shows and events across the country since March, Stagehands and other entertainment and event industry workers have been struggling to find work. Beckman said the agreement with Outback represents “A small victory, but it’s something.” – Stagehands Local 6 photo