Radio City Reacts To Strike With a Christmas Lockout
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Tensions escalated yesterday between Radio City Entertainment and its orchestra after 35 musicians ended a one-day strike and returned to work – only to find themselves locked out of the music hall and banned from its “Christmas Spectacular.”
The musicians, members of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, had gone on strike Wednesday night, forcing the cancellation of a public rehearsal of the annual “Christmas Spectacular,” the 10-week holiday season staple featuring the famed Radio City Rockettes. The walkout came after contract talks between the union and company management failed to yield an agreement.
Overnight, union officials changed their mind. They instructed musicians to report to work yesterday. Carrying their instruments, some wearing tuxedos, the musicians showed up yesterday morning ready to play in the season’s debut performance. As they arrived at the stage door, barricades and security guards blocked them from entering.
The show’s producers replaced the orchestra with recorded music for yesterday’s two shows, and the dispute descended into a war of words. The musicians tried to enter again for the 3 p.m. show, saying they had accepted the terms of the company’s offer and had no idea why they were not being allowed to play.
“We’re ready to sign a contract,” a trumpet player and union member, Bill Rohdin, said. “It makes no sense to us.”
Radio City management said yesterday that no agreement was reached and cited the possibility of a future work stoppage as a reason for barring the musicians.
The union’s walkout “caused hardship for thousands of families that could not enjoy their beloved holiday tradition,” the company said in a statement.