Arena - living up to its local employment expectations?

[posting]

Last-minute agreement nixes pickets

Posted By Rob Tripp

Whig-Standard 2008-02-23

Concertgoers won't have to cross picket lines to get into tonight's inaugural concert at the K-Rock Centre.

The union representing backstage workers who rig and run concerts and stage shows called off a planned picket after a last-minute deal with the company that manages the city-owned sports and entertainment centre.

"There won't be any pickets [today] and [the union] and the senior officials are going to meet as soon as possible," Debi Wells, president of the Kingston District Labour Council, said in an interview yesterday, minutes before a planned rally and news conference outside the arena.

Wells got a last-minute cellphone call telling her that Arcturus/SMG, the company managing the centre, has agreed that all of the backstage work won't automatically go to a Vancouver-based company, Nasco Staffing Solutions.

The company advertised in Kingston to hire temporary workers for events at the centre.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) complained that it wasn't given the chance to bid for work, including tonight's Tragically Hip concert.
"The parties have agreed to open up the process and give IATSE the opportunity to bid for services," Wells said.

There isn't time for the union to compete for the work for tonight's concert.

The union had planned to have more than 200 people picketing outside the centre tonight, including some people being bused in.

There are about 25 Kingston members of local 471 of the union. The workers are freelancers who are assigned to events throughout the Kingston-Ottawa region.
Union members perform work at the Grand Theatre and have worked at the Memorial Centre.

Neil Shorthouse, a senior official of Arcturus in Kingston, said he can't comment on the talks with the union because he isn't involved. Shorthouse said a senior vice-
president who is directly involved is not available.

In a news release, Arcturus said it conducted a "fair, competitive process" in which the union had a chance to compete.

"We acknowledge concerns voiced by IATSE Local 471 and their desire to provide services," the release states. "In consideration of our successful working partnerships with IATSE throughout North America and our strong positive working relationship with the IATSE leadership and membership, we have taken steps necessary, in working with Nasco, to open up the process for the selection of a long-term provider of production labour services at the K-Rock Centre."

Wells said she believes the announcement reflects Arcturus's acknowledgement that the union did not have a fair chance to bid for work.

"They're going to give them a chance because they don't want pickets," she said. "You know, everybody wants this to work."

The Labour Council, which has backed the theatrical workers union, remains concerned about a plan to use volunteers from local charitable organizations to work at events inside the centre, in exchange for groups getting a share of proceeds.

"We don't want it run like a bingo hall," she said.

The council hopes to see more union jobs at the facility.

"We want real jobs with some kind of security and so that the people who work here can take part in the economic development of Kingston and enjoy it - benefits for all of us," Wells said.
Despite the last-minute deal yesterday, a small group of union leaders met outside the centre just before noon yesterday preparing to stage a rally.

Among them was Warren (Smokey) Thomas of Kingston, who is the president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

He was happy to see progress but chagrined personally.

"I gave up my Hip tickets because I can't cross a picket line," Thomas said, laughing at his own misfortune.

The union boss said he'd try to get the two tickets back.

[Dogma]

There are about 25 Kingston members of local 471 of the union. The workers are freelancers who are assigned to events throughout the Kingston-Ottawa region.Why in the world would the public care if staging an event by typically "independent or freelance" workers without significant real representation of a community (should) or could have exclusive business with the LVEC?

I fail to see the reasoning, being that there are more significant companies with more equipment & long term investment PLUS experience with professional staging in Toronto than any of these one man bands that have NO expertise or assets to pull off a professional LVEC event!

Let them quote, but let see them PROVE they can actually deliver a professional act.

I have worked with such "independent" union members and frankly in terms or work ethic, professional production, training and experience to: setup, and run larger events - they lacked significant experience, equipment and know how with regards to professional event management - now finally coming our way!

,I see NO value for Kingstonian tax payers in keeping many of these past local gravy trains. unless they finally step up to the plate and deliver with money equipment, trianing and proven professional credentials!

And if they cannot deliver "BAN them" - from the arena - council.

[Dogma]

Parking doesn't seem scarce

Posted 5 hours ago

I was curious after reading Bruce Todd's letter (a member of KCAL) about the lack of available parking near the K-Rock Centre on a Saturday night ("City misleading public about available parking," Feb. 21). I was passing through the downtown and thought a quick drive-by past the arena could be interesting. How many parking spots were actually available at 8:30 on the eve of a sold-out event?

My short tour in the immediate area showed me that I could have showed up late to the show and had a choice of several spots within a two-minute walk.

If I wanted to pay a few bucks less and park on a city street, no fewer than 20 spots were available within a five-minute walk of the arena.

I figure that either the parking situation is manageable, and that using taxis and buses, car pooling and exercise aren't as old-fashioned as some Kingstonians seem to think.

Chris Morris
Kingston

[Dogma]

KCAL - recentl post suggests that the 4-7 transport trailer of event equipment (per event) are "a major traffic logistics nightmare"? for the LVEC.

The logistics for trucks for this "arena" are perfectly normal and are easily managed - obviously KCAL have "no clue" of event facility logistics or management, such as for (large event/conference facilities) like Place Bonaventure (Montreal) or TICC in Toronto - that recieve 4-7 trailers (an hour)
for events that see 300,000 people + for the event.

This facility is a "tiny arena " -NOT a Skydome or even CLOSE - and now because of KCAL its NOT at Anglin Bay...the BETTER LOCATION - who's fault is that??? - naysayers and KCAL's !

The few trailers that are truly needed for such "small events" @ the LVEC, are located in marshalling yards, and tend to be loaded and unloaded at night..before/after the event, when most are in bed..let alone driving around the facility!

KCAL - GET A LIFE - and remember (you) are the folks that both led the petitions to move from a better facility site at Anglin Bay.

KCAL also by doing this...wasted both tax payers money studing Anglin Bay, and now we have the facility @ the North Block - now 30% smaller than Anglin Bays proposal for the same 47 million budget!

Way to go KCAL - you are directly responsible for where the facility is!

Please, stop whining and at least LEARN about how real logistics and drayage work in the industry before you open ones ....

[Dogma]

I had the opportunity to visit and take in an OHL game last night at the LVEC.

I thought I would be appropriate to offer some observations to this forum and to others that have not had a chance to visit the centre.

Firstly; one of my instincts was to drive downtown and park near the facility.

The OHL game started at 7 p.m, so after picking up my partner and making our way downtown, I quickly located a spot to park - near S&R.

Although there were many parking (lots spots) still open & available, I decided on street or parking surrounding the LVEC. It was just after 6 p.m, so a no cost spot for parking (after 5:30 p.m) on street felt like chairty. We could enjoy a bite to eat at Peter's restaurant (formally Archie's) at Princess and Ontario St, and then walk over to take in the game.

Peter's was packed, no seats available. People were enjoying ones own company, with a glass of wine and a good local meal downtown. We waited a few minutes at the front entrance and within minutes a two seater can available, which looked directly upon the fans walking towards the LVEC and the surroundings near S&R.

After ordering, I asked "Peter" the owner if this amount of business is normal on a Wednesday? He said "it’s probably the LVEC / game" - but typically they are 1/2 full at this time. He said "it also starts earlier now" (on game night) People park, come in a little early, after shopping & can leisurely have dinner, then walk to the facility.

After paying the local merchant, tipping the help (with the parking monies saved) we left Peter's at exactly 6:40 p.m and arrived excited in the lobby of the new LVEC - 5 minutes later, exactly 6:45 p.m.

Along the way, we still noticed some parking spots, lots available and last minute drop offs coming in and out of the LVEC area. Many folks infront buying tickets to the event along with some having a last puff, or chatt before the game .

Entering the LVEC reminded me immediately of the ACC - the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. But, on a miniature scale.

Food vendors were located in the lobby and corridors, people scurring to their anticipated seats, teens hanging out until the very last moments with military stands and other local agency raffle table etc. conversing with wandering passerby, it was Military Appreciation Night at the LVEC.

nearing our arena entrance, & aisle directions (which were very well marked out) and "checking out the finishes of the LEED construction", bobbing between the crowd, young and old we arrived at our arena entrance and up to the seats in the arena we went.

It was a short and safe walk up to tour our seat location, and without a heavy coat & boots the arena seats seemed quite adequate. But deciding to take a look around, on the upper tier area, we found ourselves in the VIP portion of the faclity. It was basically, "the bar and lounge" looking onto the rink and facility. We immediately found ourselves infront of two designer lounge seats at centre ice infront a wet bar. Peering over the railing once in our loungers into the crowd and ice below, with its clean clear and festive vantage, with the sense of an "event" about to take place. It was almost unreal. We (felt) were in the best seats in the house, anticipating the event, but knowing it would not matter were you sit; the "view for the event" is the same. Fantastic !

The only difference I found out were the beverages are closer, and drinks serve to you in the lounge.

My new neighbor seated next to us (I discovered) was an OHL fan and also a visitor from Toronto. So, I thought after a welcome to Kingston, I asked what his observations of this facility was, and his experience with other like facilities (I discover soon after) as one of the fathers of one of the players.

He said he has visited all of the other newer facilities in the OHL and is familiar with Kingston and its Memorial Centre. He was generous and unbiased in his answers. He was in short; impressed with Kingston's facility. i.e Perfect size, well laid out and in a good downtown location. He had no concerns about the facilities or Kingston's success with such an investment. He thought with the use of the Multiplex and maybe future expansion Kingston would have no problem attracting world class events. His son took in the tradically hip concert and was very impressed with the facilities advantages over larger concert bowls. Even during the game you could hear clearly the puck itself being stick handled. Acoustics were excellent.

I certainly plan to take in an event and concert here.

My wife did mention that the inside could use some "softening" with banners, some fabric or ...but I am sure that will come. But, good suggestion dear. I ordered her a rye and ginger for the suggestion and promised I would "get right on it".