Backstages: Ballad of the First Ave Staff
Johnny, KVSC production director, breaks down the yearlong quest of First Avenue workers to secure a union contract.
It has been almost one year since First Avenue management formally accepted the unionization of much of service staff of the many venues under the club’s ownership, but multiple negotiation sessions haven’t yielded a contract. First Avenue staff recently staged a labor demonstration in front of the Twin Cities institution, and Johnny was there, interviewing people on the picket line.
Along with Johnny’s on-the-scene reporting and interviews with First Avenue staff members, this episode includes conversations with representatives of both Twin Cities United Performers and Unite Here Local 17. Performers such as Nadi from Gully Boys and Dante from Space Monkey Mafia also offer their perspectives.
Backstages is made possible through support from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
