Photo courtesy of IATSE Local 28/NW Labor Press.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, fans are not allowed at NBA games, and so many employees have not been called back. That includes members of IATSE Local 28 who have worked at Portland Trail Blazers games since the Rose Quarter opened in 1995, and before that when it was the Memorial Coliseum. 

IATSE Local 28 members usually work the sound boards, lighting, scoreboards, time clocks, and other technical equipment. These are jobs that are necessary to the game. 

According to a statement by Etta Rose Venetucci, Local 28 business representative,  members of the IATSE Local 28 union were replaced by Rip City Staff, who are salaried and not unionized. Since not being called back to work, members of Local 28 have been protesting outside Blazer home games at the Moda Center.