US EditionAEW Dynamite Faces Protest From IATSE Union Over Wages
IATSE Local 8 alleges AEW and 2300 Arena pay below Philadelphia area standards, citing $54.40 hourly wage with benefits as union benchmark for stagehands.
- On August 27, 2025, All Elite Wrestling began a seven-show residency at Philadelphia's 2300 Arena running through September 11, 2025, while IATSE Local 8 members protested alleged substandard wages and benefits.
- IATSE Local 8 says its area standard requires $40.00 an hour plus benefits totaling $54.40, and alleges some workers may be misclassified as 1099 contractors, violating Pennsylvania's Act 72.
- On Tuesday the picket outside the 2300 Arena began, with IATSE Local 8 running a social media and handbill campaign and sending 75 letters via the Action Network to raise awareness.
- AEW spokesperson defended prevailing wages, while Roger Artigiani, CEO of 2300 Arena, disputed underpayment claims, and IATSE Local 8 warned of legal risks under Act 72 and urged fan boycotts.
- During the residency AEW will host ROH Death Before Dishonor on August 29, running through September 11, concentrating AEW and ROH shows at the non-union 2300 Arena and impacting regional labor norms.
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Stagehands union protest outside 2300 Arena ahead of AEW residency, venue denies pay claim - POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW
IATSE Local 8 says stagehands at AEW's 2300 Arena residency are underpaid, while the venue's CEO insists workers are getting fair wages.
·Toronto, Canada
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AEW Faces Union Protest Ahead Of Dynamite At Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena
AEW’s residency at the historic 2300 Arena (formerly ECW Arena) officially kicks off with tonight’s (August 27, 2025) edition of AEW Dynamite, but the event has already drawn controversy. Members of IATSE Local 8 (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) are staging a protest outside the Philadelphia venue, claiming that AEW and the 2300 Arena […]
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