The Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM) has charged the League of American Theatres and Producers with a pattern of anti-union activity.
ATPAM made the charge in an open letter to the league, Tony voters, and its own membership. The union claimed that "The continued practice of Jed Bernstein and the League of American Theatres and Producers to enter into agreements with companies who either are selective in their union relationships, or are completely non-union, will contribute to the erosion of the theatrical community's foundation."
The letter was disseminated in response to ATPAM's concerns about the 1997 Tony Awards ceremonies being held at Radio City Music, "a venue which does not recognize our union, and is currently embroiled in a labor dispute with another union [the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers]." The league produces the Tony Awards, along with the American Theatre Wing.
As reported in Back Stage on May 2, ATPAM had previously withdrawn an ad which it had reserved in the special Tony Awards edition of Playbill when it was announced that the awards would be presented at Radio City.
"The theatrical community is a group of talented, highly creative, and visionary individuals, the vast majority of whom are union members," ATPAM's letter continued. "To choose a venue which excludes from its roster a part of this dedicated community shows a disrespect for and misunderstanding of this group of people as a whole."
Kevin McAnarney, a three-term board member of the union, said: "I'm glad that ATPAM has once again taken a stand in support of unionism, thereby making the public aware of the many abuses in this area, including discriminatory, anti-union practices at the New Victory Theatre in New York, the Wang Center in Boston, numerous Los Angeles theatres, and other venues throughout the continent."
Another ATPAM member said there has as yet been no response from Bernstein or the league to the union's ope