WASHINGTON (CN) - Blue Man Vegas, producer of the popular Blue Man Group show in Las Vegas, must recognize and bargain with a stage-crew union, despite the company's claim that the union improperly excluded musical instrument technicians, the D.C. Circuit ruled.
The court rejected the producer's petition for review of the National Labor Relations Board's finding that the company engaged in unfair labor practices by refusing to bargain with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists & Allied Crafts of the United States.
Blue Man Vegas claimed the union was invalid, because it excluded musical instrument technicians, who are responsible for the show's musical instruments, including several percussion instruments that are unique to Blue Man Group productions.
The court held that the musical instrument technicians differ significantly from the other stage employees, so the union had a right to omit them from the organizing process. Because the bargaining unit is legitimate, Blue Man Vegas must recognize it, the court concluded.
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