Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 8 will be protesting tonight’s AEW Dynamite taping at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The union has publicly stated that the action is a response to All Elite Wrestling’s failure to meet area standards for wages and benefits.
This is the second consecutive day of protests from the union, which also held a demonstration during AEW’s event in the city on August 26. The group’s stated goal is to bring public awareness to what it calls substandard compensation practices by the wrestling promotion.
In an official statement, IATSE detailed the reasoning behind the protest. “This week, IATSE Local 8 members are out in force to inform the public that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) events in Philadelphia are failing to meet area standards by paying substandard wages and benefits.”
The union argues that these practices negatively affect the entire local industry. “When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job opportunities for all entertainment workers in the community.”
IATSE concluded its statement with a message of solidarity and a commitment to action. “We stand in solidarity with our Local 8 kin as they hold employers accountable and fight to protect the fair standards that entertainment workers deserve!”
A graphic promoting the protest includes the entire schedule for AEW’s residency at the arena, suggesting the demonstrations could continue beyond tonight’s broadcast.