Strike Power!
Broadway is on strike! The world famous Broadways theatrical productions in New York have been put on hold, not because of the big stars or the writers, but the stage hands. The Stage hand union brought over two dozen plays to a grinding halt and took to the picket line over working conditions.
Big mega plays like the Phantom of the Opera, How the Grinch stole Christmas, Les Miserables had to close their doors and lose mega revenue because of the escalation of protest action by stagehands. In Hollywood there is a writers strike on which is also threatening the production of films and television. I guess the writers and stage hands are holding Broadway and Hollywood to ransom. When we protest here in Barbados, that is what we are accused of doing.
We Bajan entertainers are branded as villains for threatening to withhold our services and music at Crop Over because of outstanding grievances. The truth is that it is an international accepted norm – as demonstrated by our overseas comrades – that when things are not going the way you want and you have had enough, you shut things to ass down.
Our government always speaks of how standards in Barbados have improved and we now have an international airport and international venue like Kensington Oval. Therefore there is a dire responsibility on us as entertainers to also show that we too are of international standard. When things don’t go the way we need to, shut the business to ass down!
So that the government can proudly boast, Barbados also has an international entertainment industry, an industry that strikes!
If during the reading of this blog there is any thing I might have written which might have incensed or offended you, GET OVER IT! There are many things I read and hear in the media on a daily basis that I don't like either. SO DEAL WITH IT! You are welcome to leave your comments though. Make sure and come back yuh hear !!!...
November 20th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I have mixed feelings about unions & strikes. I am in agreement with them when I feel the persons involved have a genuine concern for their jobs and how they are affected. If the writers are being paid a small percentage of the income generated from a high paying tv show or movie, while actors and studios are paid far more, then yes…I think they are right to strike when it’s close to tv sweeps week (when studios depend on high ratings). Look at airlines and the low pay/pay cuts/cut hours & many CEO’s and those working in their offices still get raises and bonuses. I don’t blame those striking.
My job has had recent controversy because they were not paying a contract group enough in wages or giving them benefits. While I sympathize with the workers, they were well aware of their wages and lack of benefits prior to getting hired, so I don’t think all of their arguments were valid (though the wages in the least should have been increased over time).
Some years ago when Bajan artistes decided to withhold music, I was in agreement because I didn’t think the gov’t cared enough to help those who play a large part in making the festival what it is today. Strikes can be beneficial and extreme measures are required when a higher authority refuses to listen and think about those voicing their concerns. Unfortunately I think musicians are taken for granted, but then…many don’t take themselves seriously. Not everyone respects the industry enough to grow as an artiste/musician but rather have a concern only for themselves and making some quick money.