The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has filed unfair labor practices against The Music Center at Strathmore after the latter laid off all part-time ticket sellers, as well as half of their full-time sellers.

The decision is said to violate a tentative agreement made in April between the union and the art center’s management.

Strathmore is host to a number of companies such as the Baltimore Symphony, National Philharmonic, and Maryland Youth Orchestras. Other venues in the area, such as the Kennedy Center, have retained their full-time ticketing staff as they work to boost sales for future performances.

“We are very disturbed by the wrong-headed and short-sighted policies Strathmore’s new management has introduced,” says International President of the IATSE Matthew D. Loeb in a press release.  “To my knowledge, Strathmore was the only unionized venue in the area to strip workers of their health care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and now they want to unfairly and illegally fire staff.

“We will not let this stand. Strathmore can and should do better. We expect better behavior and so does the Montgomery County community.”