The latest chapter in the never-ending saga of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts involves the Center’s workers themselves.
After some 40 employees have been let go, the remaining 90 employees have formed a union – the Kennedy Center United Arts Workers.
The choice to form a union has the support of The International Union, United Automobile, and Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
The new union members issued a statement saying, “we demand transparent and consistent terms for hiring and firing, a return to ethical norms, freedom from partisan interference in programming, free speech protections, and the right to negotiate the terms of our employment. Union organizing is an unparalleled method of gaining power in the workplace and advancing our shared goals—including preservation of our world class artistic programming and industry leading workforce. Forming as Kennedy Center United Arts Workers will position us firmly inside a powerful local—and national—network of unionized workers fighting for workplace rights and fair treatment.”
Union members added they have been, “threatened with censorship…We no longer believe our institution trusts us and we no longer trust our institution.”
Workers noted that since the hostile take over there has been massive firing of board members and employees, the hiring of people loyal to the White House (including some staff members), and the Kennedy Center has lost its bipartisan structure.
Prior to the take over, the Board members were equally divided between Republicans and Democrats.
Since the take over in February, several shows have been cancelled including Pride events and the Tony Award nominated play “Eureka Day”. The Tony Award winning musical “Hamilton” has also cancelled their performance next year. Members of the musical “Les Miserables” are boycotting the June 11 performance.
In response to the boycott, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell (a White House appointee) said the actors should be blacklisted; saying, “we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn’t hire.”
Upon taking over the Kennedy Center the only programming guidelines issued were that no “drag” or “woke” shows would be allowed; but no clarification of those terms was given.
The Kennedy Center typically granted the Kennedy Center $43 million each year; but with the potential elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, that funding will not be forthcoming; however, one big focus of the new administration is the Kennedy Center itself for repairs and upgrades. The White House has asked Congress for $257 Million for those repairs.