A Bastion of Union Power: Backstage Broadway

Despite U.S. labor unions’ loss of membership and clout, the 125-year-old Local 1 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the New York City stagehands’ union, remains powerful  enough to protect its members’ hourly rates and extend its reach into new theaters, says The New York Times. At a time when even the biggest nonprofit performing arts institutions must scrounge for dollars, stagehands earn high wages because of their unique skills in bringing theatrical effects to life. In 2011, the four top stagehands at the Metropolitan Opera earned more than $500,000 each in total compensation.