International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is publicly accusing the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts of violating union contracts and federal labor law by permanently cutting jobs under the guise of a temporary shutdown.
In a sharply worded statement released Monday, IATSE alleged the Kennedy Center laid off or terminated all workers in its Instant Charge and Group Sales and Subscription departments effective April 27, more than two months before the institution’s planned temporary closure is scheduled to begin.
According to the union, management also confirmed during bargaining sessions that the eliminated positions would not be restored once operations resume.
“This is not a normal closure-related layoff,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “The Kennedy Center appears to be using a temporary closure as cover to permanently eliminate union jobs in violation of its contract and federal labor law.”
The union argues that under existing collective bargaining agreements, the Kennedy Center is required to negotiate staffing levels, job protections and employee support measures connected to temporary closures.
IATSE pointed to the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 shutdown as precedent, noting that workers were previously protected and positions restored when operations resumed.
Instead, the union claims workers received termination notices before negotiations over the closure’s impact had concluded.
The eliminated departments handled key audience and ticketing operations including phone sales, online ticket assistance, accessibility questions and coordination for schools, families and community groups.
“When patrons call, no one will answer,” Loeb said. “When schools or community groups want tickets, there will be no staff to help them. The Kennedy Center made that choice.”
According to IATSE, union representatives repeatedly asked Kennedy Center leadership to explain why entire departments were being cut seventy one days before the closure officially begins, but management allegedly failed to provide a clear explanation.
The union also says proposals aimed at keeping employees working while bargaining continued were rejected.
IATSE has since filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. “We will not allow an employer to ignore its contract and strip workers of their rights,” Loeb said. “IATSE is prepared to exhaust every available avenue to protect our members.”
The union added that members and labor allies plan to conduct public outreach to Kennedy Center patrons in the coming weeks as the dispute continues.
The Kennedy Center has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
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