The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees said that it has filed unfair labor practice charges against the Kennedy Center over the layoffs of workers in advance of the arts institution’s planned closure in July.
The charges, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, stem from the layoff or termination of all workers in the instant charge and group sales and subscription departments, the union said. IATSE claims that the employees were laid off without the Kennedy Center “meeting its legal obligation to bargain over the impact of a temporary closure.”
The Kennedy Center has been laying off employees following Donald Trump‘s announcement that the complex would shut down for two years to undergo repairs and renovation. Center officials have argued that the repairs are badly needed after years of neglect, and a closure would enable a renovation without disruption of performances.
Matthew Loeb, international president of IATSE, said in a statement, “This is not a normal closure-related layoff. The Kennedy Center appears to be using a temporary closure as cover to permanently eliminate union jobs in violation of its contract and federal labor law.”
Loeb said that union members and supporters would be conducting outreach to attendees of performances this week.
A Kennedy Center spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.
According to IATSE, the job reductions were effective on April 27, and management confirmed that they would not replace the work. IATSE said that the work is still needed and claimed that management would not explain why “entire departments were eliminated seventy-one days before the temporary shutdown.”
“Under its collective bargaining agreements, the Kennedy Center is required to bargain with the unions over staffing levels, job protections, and support for workers affected by a temporary closure,” IATSE said in a statement.
The instant charge employees handle phone ticket sales, answer questions and help with online issues. Group sales and subscription employees coordinate attendance for schools, families and community groups.
Last week, a federal judge heard oral arguments on two separate lawsuits challenging the closure of the center. One was filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and the other by preservation groups. They contend that the closure plans did not go through the required review process. The board of the Kennedy Center, dominated by appointees of Trump, approved the closure plan in March. It is being financed by $257 million congressional appropriation that was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year.
Weeks after he took office for his second term, Trump fired board members appointed by Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The board then voted to make Trump chair, while he installed one of his allies, Ric Grenell, to lead the center. Grenell departed in March, but Matthew Floca, who had overseen facilities operations, is now serving as its executive director and chief operating officer.
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