Regarding the Wilshire Theatre contract with Temple Shalom
IATSE LOCAL 33 MEMBERS, please download this letter: Temple-Shalom.doc,
and send it to:
Officers and Board of Trustees
Temple Shalom for the Arts
Wilshire Theatre
8440 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90211
Send via fax: (323) 658-9122
Dear Officers and Trustees,
As a member of IATSE Local 33, the stagecraft union that has proudly
represented workers at the Wilshire Theatre for the past 30 years, I am deeply
concerned about the anti-union stance taken by Temple Shalom for the Arts. I am
writing to you, the officers and trustees of the congregation, to ask for your
help to persuade the Temple to do the morally right thing, meet with IATSE Local
33 and continue the high-level of professionalism that has been the hallmark of
the Wilshire for decades.
Local 33 members have been proud to work with Temple Shalom for your High
Holy Days services for many years. Given that relationship, we were hopeful that
we could reach an agreement with your organization when you purchased the
Wilshire late last year.
Unfortunately, Temple Shalom’s representatives have refused to even meet
with us.
We are at a loss to understand this anti-union posture in light of the
Temple’s proud connection to the entertainment community and related labor
organizations here in Los Angeles. In particular, prominent members of your
congregation are or have been high-ranking members of other unions. Barry
Gordon, co-cantor for your High Holy Day services, was a past president of SAG,
as you proudly listed on your website. For the past several years, Temple Shalom
has held its regular Shabbat services at the Writers Guild building. We know
members of your congregation belong to numerous other unions, including DGA,
SAG, AFTRA, WGA, and IATSE locals.
Local 33 is asking for an initial meeting in the hopes of establishing a
relationship with Temple Shalom. I urge you to intercede in this matter. If not,
we will continue to reach out to others of influence, including religious,
entertainment and labor leaders, and to the congregation directly.
In solidarity,