Originally published by Labor Today
Last May, Live Nation was sued by the Justice Department over its growing monopoly. The suit outlined that it directly manages more than 400 musical artists, controls 60% of concert promotions at major venues and, through Ticketmaster, controls roughly 80% or more of major concert venues’ ticketing. Their greed has become apparent in the exorbitant live event surcharges.
Now, workers at three Live Nation venues in Denver are standing up against low wages and poor working conditions. Workers at workers at Summit Music Hall and the Marquis Theater voted to unionize. They join a third Live Nation venue, the Fillmore Auditorium, who in International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local #7. The Fillmore voted to unionize in 2003.
Max Peterson, business representative for the Denver Theatrical Stage, Film & Exhibition Employees’ Union said, “A lot of people get in this business because they freaking love music…. What we see often is that these mega-corporations take advantage of that passion and undercut what would normally be a fair shake for these workers.”
IATSE organizer Hilliard Probasco said, “Labor conditions for production workers in the rock and roll industry are insecure, benefits are virtually nonexistent, and wages are low compared to union jobs within the entertainment industry. This crew has decided to take action to change that, and we look forward to helping them achieve these necessary changes.”
The work of Peterson, Probasco, and other labor activists in Denver have once again shown us that a collective struggle with our co-workers wins change.
