ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Rolling Stones played a successful show at the Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y. last month and were paid handsomely for their work. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for about 100 stagehands employed to set up the production for the show. The union is telling people they were shocked when some of their members’ paychecks bounced.
More details about this from (http://www.wkbw.com/news/workers-paychecks-bounce-after-stones-concert):
IATSE Local 10 members were to be paid by Big Whitey Productions based out of New York City. Big Whitey had been contracted by promoter AEG, a promoter based in LA. About half of those IATSE workers had their checks bounce.
Billboard reports the Stones themselves raked in nearly $110 million in sales with the Buffalo show grossing the most in the final leg of the tour. This local union contract worth $77,000 seems to be a big problem. AEG says Big Whitey was paid on time and in full.
Rumors have floated that Big Whitey’s business accounts were frozen pending a divorce. Whatever the reason, these capital woes will resonate throughout the union fraternity. “They don’t want to run the risk of working a show and then not knowing when they’re going to get a paycheck. This is unfortunately an instance which has never happened before and hopefully doesn’t happen again,” a union member was quoted as saying.
Late Tuesday, a court order was issued unfreezing Big Whitey’s account so workers could soon have their money. Big Whitey is not associated with the upcoming One Direction show at the same stadium.
