A classic play in three acts
W X Gwizdala 2023
Theatrical play in three acts about a meeting between the labor union and management at the Ionospheric Foundry Steel Mill. The workers demand a raise and better benefits, but management claims the company cannot afford it. The union refuses to back down, and tensions rise as they demand fair compensation. In act three, the management announces the closure of the foundry, claiming it was a virtual project all along. The union is outraged and demands answers. The play ends with a call to action against injustice and dehumanizing practices.
Act One:
Scene 1:
The stage is set as a meeting hall of the Ionospheric Foundry Steel Mill. Chairs are set in a circle with a small stage in front. Union members in black suits sit on one side of the stage, while management personnel in grey suits sit on the other side.
Union Rep: We can not continue to work for the wages that we are being paid. We demand a raise of at least 15%!
Management Rep: Your demands are exaggerated and unrealistic. The company can not afford it.
Union Rep: You don’t seem to care about us or our families. We are barely making ends meet, and we deserve to be compensated for our hard work.
Management Rep: We understand that the cost of living has increased, but we can not give in to your demands. Our profits are not enough to sustain the business with your proposed increase.
Union Rep: We can not accept this. We are willing to negotiate, but you need to come to the table with a better offer.
Management Rep: I’m afraid that’s all we can offer. The company is in a tough financial situation, and we must make difficult decisions to keep it afloat.
Union Rep: We will not back down, and we will do everything in our power to fight for what we deserve.
Scene 2:
A union member speaks to the camera and addresses the viewers at home through telecasting.
Union Member: The management is being unreasonable, and we will not accept their offer. We have families to feed and bills to pay, and we deserve fair compensation for our hard work.
Act Two:
Scene 1:
The same meeting hall, the same people in the circle, but this time there are banners and signs all around the hall with slogans like “Fair wages for honest work!” and “Secure our future.”
Union Rep: We will not accept anything less than what we deserve. We demand fair wages and better benefits.
Management Rep: I understand your frustration, but we can not afford to give in to your demands. The company’s profits are not enough to sustain such a significant increase in wages.
Union Rep: We refuse to accept this as the final say. It’s not only about wages. We deserve better working conditions, more health insurance coverage, and other benefits that we are not receiving.
Management Rep: I can not promise those things, but I will take your concerns to the higher-ups.
Union Rep: We will hold you to that promise, and we won’t back down until we receive fair compensation, better benefits, and an agreement that will ensure our future.
Scene 2:
Another union member telecasts to the public.
Union Member: Our fight is not just about ourselves; it’s about securing a better future for our generation and the ones to come. The company is only interested in profits, and they care little about their workers’ wellbeing. But we will not back down; we will fight for our rights!
Act Three:
Scene 1:
The same meeting hall, but now the atmosphere is tense.
Management Rep: I’m afraid the company decided to close down the foundry and stop producing steel. There’s no use discussing wages, benefits, or anything else.
Union Rep: You can’t just close the foundry like that.
Management Rep: Unfortunately, we can, and we will. The foundry was just a virtual project to keep people busy with something who have no purpose in life.
Union Members: (shocked, exclaiming) What? How dare you?!
Management Rep: The company is still in operation, and there are new virtual projects to work on. You’ll be integrated into those, and I’m sure you’ll be well compensated.
Union Members: (angers and points fingers) But we demand to know why you didn’t tell us earlier, and what will happen next.
Management Rep: Unfortunately, it was confidential information that we couldn’t share before. You’ll be informed of what comes next soon.
Scene 2:
The same union member telecasts from the meeting hall.
Union Member: The company is closing the foundry, and they don’t care about our future. They say the foundry was just a virtual project! We must fight against such injustice and dehumanizing practices. We need to take action and demand answers!
Curtain.
W X Gwizdala, October 2023