A supermajority among the two-dozen or so cast members signed union authorization cards last week. That move reinforced the cast’s intention to hold a formal vote to unionize with Equity.
The Chipps performers have also filed paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a union election. The time table for that vote is in the hands of the NLRB, likely within a month.
If management doesn’t offer Equity recognition, dancers plan to move forward with their authorization vote. The membership would cover the Chipps residency show in Las Vegas, and its national and international touring productions.
Primary Las Vegas entertainment unions are the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), with about 2,100 members. The Musicians Union of Las Vegas, American Federation of Musicians Local 369, reports a membership of 435. Nevada Ballet Theatre dancers joined the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) in September 2022.
Equity represents some 51,000 professional actors and stage managers on Broadway and in live theatre across the United States.
This is how we clean up and make this whole line of work less exploitive.
If the workers can push back against poor working conditions, then it can just be a fun entertainment night where everyone is truly just doing what they want to do.