IATSE Union Holds Protest Outside of AEW’s Dynamite Show at 2300 Arena Over AEW Working with Non-Union Venue, AEW & 2300 Arena Issues Statements Over Protest

Prior to the start of Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show and residency at the 2300 Arena, Philadelphia-based union International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced that they would be holding a protest outside of the venue.

In an official statement on Twitter, the union stated that the reason for the protest is due to their claims of AEW events in Philadelphia are “failing to meet area standards by paying substandard wages and benefits. When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job opportunities for all entertainment workers in the community.” The union also stated that they are standing in solidarity with their Local 8 branch as “they hold employers accountable and fight to protect the fair standards that entertainment workers deserve!”

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.

When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job… pic.twitter.com/eB2k2lZFOR

— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) August 26, 2025

Post Wrestling’s Brandon Thurston and Jack Wannan reported that IATSE’s protest is less about AEW itself and more about their issues with the non-union 2300 Arena’s treatment of stagehand workers over pay-related dispute issues.

In a statement on Facebook, the union stated “It has come to our attention that the wages, benefits and working conditions may be below the prevailing area standard negotiated by IATSE Local 8 in this industry” for their reason for the protest.

IATSE Local 8’s standard includes stagehands being paid $40 per hour and when adding up health and welfare contributions, pension, annuity and training, this turns into $54.40 per hour for pay.

In an official statement to Post Wrestling, 2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani denied the pay issue claim being made by IATSE against his company.

“Our workers are being paid the fair wage that they claim is not being paid.”

Besides the 2300 Arena, an AEW spokesperson also issued an official statement to Post Wrestling defending their pay practices and distanced itself from the on-going dispute between the union and venue.

“All Elite Wrestling has paid, and will continue to pay, the prevailing wages to all locals used as part of our residency at the venue and has maintained a great relationship with IATSE Local 8 for previous events held at other venues in Philadelphia. Any current demonstrations being held are between 2300 Arena and IATSE Local 8.”

It was reported that the protest started this past Tuesday and IATSE Local No. 8 is claiming that stagehands hired to work at AEW’s residency events at the 2033 Arena are being paid below the local union’s standard rates of $54.40 per hour. Local 8 reportedly also claims that this issue undermines their collectively bargained agreement. In a statement on Facebook, Local 8 stated that they are not seeking to unionize 2300 Arena workers and instead they are protesting against having their compensation undercut and wanting documentation showing otherwise from the venue.

“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.”

In a video released on their Facebook page, a person representing Local No. 8 described the 2300 Arena as being a “non-union” venue and called for AEW to take action over the matter.

In an official statement to Post Wrestling, an IATSE stated that the picket began on Tuesday and will continue throughout AEW’s residency at the venue.

“Our concerns specifically pertain to stagehands. Neither the 2300 Arena nor AEW have provided documentation showing that stagehands are being paid the area standard set by IATSE Local 8, or that workers are not being misclassified as independent contractors.”