{"id":140853,"date":"2025-08-27T15:31:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T19:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=140853"},"modified":"2025-08-27T15:39:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T19:39:57","slug":"protests-erupt-as-aew-2300-arena-accused-of-paying-substandard-wages-and-benefits-to-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/08\/27\/protests-erupt-as-aew-2300-arena-accused-of-paying-substandard-wages-and-benefits-to-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Protests Erupt as AEW, 2300 Arena Accused of Paying “Substandard Wages and Benefits” to Workers"},"content":{"rendered":"

AEW’s 2300 Arena residency is off to an inauspicious start as on Wednesday afternoon, members of Local 8 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (which just so happens to be located right across the street from 2300 Arena) began protesting. The group had previously announced their intent to “inform the public” after receiving no response to a letter to AEW and 2300 Arena that was released on Facebook<\/a>. The letter alleges that AEW and 2300 Arena are paying workers, largely stagehands, under the area standard for what the union deems as similar work.<\/p>\n

“It is simple economics that the substandard wages, benefits and working conditions that are being paid by AEW\/ 2300 ARENA tend to depress the wages, benefits and working conditions negotiated by the union and limit the employment opportunities of workers we represent,” the letter notes, adding that any workers listed as “independent contractors and paid under 1099 violates the Pennsylvania Construction Workplace Misclassification Act.” Employers in violation of this act can face criminal charges as well as fines and potential orders for work stoppages.<\/p>\n

The letter goes on to say that if workers are not paid fair wages with documentation to prove it, it is up to the union to inform the public, which could be done in a number of ways including “handbills and bannering at venues where AEW\/2300 Arena have scheduled events.”<\/p>\n

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This week, IATSE Local 8 members are out in force to inform the public that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) events in Philadelphia are failing to meet area standards by paying substandard wages and benefits.<\/p>\n

When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/eB2k2lZFOR<\/a><\/p>\n

— IATSE \/\/ #IASolidarity (@IATSE) August 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n