IATSE representative urges council to require local labor and site inspections at TNT events

During the public comment period of the Normal Town Council meeting, Michael Irvin, business agent for IATSE Local 193, urged the council to require concert promoter USA Concerts and partner Peachtree Entertainment to use local stagehands and certified rigging crews at events on the fairgrounds.

Irvin said USA Concerts partnered with Peachtree Entertainment and CrewOne Productions, an out-of-state contractor, which he said means “the labor money will leave the area and go to other states and will not be reinvested into our local community by local stage hands.” He raised safety concerns, saying that on one occasion an assembled VIP structure collapsed during tear-down and a crew member was injured, and that at times outside crews did not use fall harnesses on scaffolds at heights he described as “well above 20 to 30 feet.” He also said out-of-state crews used indoor video walls rather than outdoor “blow-through” screens designed for higher-wind fairground conditions.

“I would strongly suggest ongoing site inspections to guarantee safety, not only for the workers, but for the general public,” Irvin said, adding he would ask the council to insist that USA Concerts and Peachtree use local, ETCP-certified riggers, electricians and other certified stage personnel.

The transcript records Irvin’s claims and his request to the council; no response from USA Concerts, Peachtree Entertainment or other parties is recorded in the meeting minutes, and the council did not take formal action in response during this meeting.