Live Event Workers for a Better Future.
We encompass a diverse workforce of over 170,000 professionals spanning various fields within the arts, media, and entertainment industry in the United States and Canada. This includes live theater, motion picture and television production, trade shows, exhibitions, television broadcasting, concerts, as well as the equipment and construction shops that facilitate these sectors.
The core objective of the IATSE is to enhance the lives of entertainment workers, both within and beyond the workplace. Additionally, the IATSE has agreements with numerous employers in virtually every sector of the entertainment economy.
Benefits
IATSE National Benefit Funds (NBF)
The IATSE National Benefits Fund (NBF) provides a range of essential benefits and services that cater to the unique needs of workers. The NBF offers plans that serve as a safety net that encompasses health, retirement, and financial security. The comprehensive health coverage provides an array of medical services available to the worker and their family.
The employers make contributions for each employee’s time worked. The contributions by your single or multiple employers is credited to your account to provide health care and retirement benefits. The Health Fund includes levels of participation to accommodate the various levels of employment a worker will experience.
A summary of the Plans Benefits at a Glance and CAPP Quarterly Rates are available for you review. A full explanation of the Health and Retirement benefits available under an IATSE contract can be found at iatsenbf.org.
Benefits FAQ
Rock Labor contributes an agreed amount over and above your wages that is sent in your name to the IATSE National Benefit Fund. The money from Rock Labor and any other contributing Employer is credited to your name to purchase Health Benefits.
The Fund offers different levels of coverage. Most workers participate with Plans C-2 and C-3. The Fund offers a Cadillac plan C-1 and basic Coverage C-4. Health Coverage Cost.
You first become eligible for benefits when your employer makes contributions totaling $150 plus one month’s current premium cost (the “CAPP charge”) for Plan C-2 single coverage $2,829.
What if I do not have enough money contributed to pay for my health coverage? After you become eligible, Employees may self pay to maintain coverage.
What if I already have coverage? if you provide acceptable proof that you have employer- or union-sponsored group medical coverage from employment that meets the minimum value standards of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Capp account money can be used for out of packet medical expenses.
Complete Summery Plan Description can be found: Here
Training
IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF)
The IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF) is a joint labor-management training fund offering training opportunities for IATSE workers to achieve and maintain the skills, ability, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the ever-changing entertainment and exhibition industries.
The IATSE Training Trust offers a variety of educational resources and training opportunities to the IATSE workforce including No Fee Courses such as rigging proficiency, OSHA 10/General Entertainment Safety training, TTF Safety First! online courses, and free LinkedIn Learning subscriptions; Certification Reimbursement: ETCP, CTS, Mental Health First Aid; Audiovisual Training through the IATSE TTF/AVIXA Partnership; and much more.
Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP)
IATSE is proud to partner with the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP), an industry-wide program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities in specific entertainment technology disciplines.
ETCP certifications are offered in the following areas: Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician, and Portable Power Distribution Technician.
IATSE workers who successfully pass ETCP certification exams may be eligible for Certification Reimbursement through the IATSE Training Trust Fund: https://www.iatsetrainingtrust.org/certification-reimbursement
IATSE Training FAQs
There are thousands of both online and in-person courses are offered at no cost. You can access a comprehensive list here.
These courses are open to non-members who are employed under the collective Rock Labor contract. Non-members will need to undergo verification before enrolling in a class.
Mental Health and Financial Aid
Behind The Scenes Charity (BTS)
The Behind the Scenes Charity assists entertainment professionals, or their immediate dependent family, in need due to serious illness or injury that may be used for basic living, medical or funeral expenses. They can also assist with the costs of seeing a therapist, or in-patient or out-patient rehabilitation.
Mental Health First Aid is a training course available through BTS. This program gives workers the skills they need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a crisis, and help connect them to the appropriate care. IATSE workers who successfully complete the Mental Health First Aid training are eligible for Certification Reimbursement through the IATSE Training Trust Fund.
Entertainment Community Fund
IATSE is proud to partner with the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF), formerly The Actors Fund.
This fund provides human services nationally for people who work in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance. From providing financial assistance during periods of unemployment to offering mental health resources, the fund strives to holistically address the well-being of its beneficiaries.
The ECF’s services relating to health and wellness, career, and even housing help ensure stability, encourage resiliency, and create a safety net for those who shape our country’s Live Event Industry.
We've been in the live events business since 1893.
IATSE union was built by workers who moved from job to job, facing unpredictable hours, precarious employment and health care, and pay that didn’t reflect their contribution to the industry.
As 170,000+ workers from all corners of the entertainment industry, we are uniquely positioned and have the industry experience to win major gains on benefits, training, rest, pay and other important issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
General:
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees was established in 1893.
The organization encompasses a diverse workforce of over 170,000 professionals spanning various fields within the arts, media, and entertainment industry in the United States and Canada. This includes live theater, motion picture and television production, trade shows, exhibitions, television broadcasting, concerts, as well as the equipment and construction shops that facilitate these sectors.
The core objective of the IATSE is to enhance the lives of entertainment workers, both within and beyond the workplace. Additionally, the IATSE has numerous agreements with Entertainment Employers.
The Concert Touring Professional’s Deal (CTPD) is structured to provide workers access to IATSE Health, Retirement, Training and Mental Health Support while maintaining the Freelance structure that is working in the Concert Touring Industry. Working conditions, wages and benefits are determined by the individuals and crews. The decision to join the union or not will not impact your job or any of the jobs of other workers on the crew.
If members of a Touring Crew are interested in getting access to the IATSE Health, Retirement, Training and Mental Health Assistance Programs they would be required to join the union and would be pay rolled through a subcontractor who has an agreement with the union that allows for benefit contributions to the Funds. The Subcontractor signs a deal with the Act to provide payroll to the participating Touring Crew. The Subcontractor would pay the Touring Crew’s salary and make contributions to the Benefit Funds on the workers behalf.
We highly encourage all workers to consider joining the union, as there are additional advantages for members. Workers who express interest will have the opportunity to complete an application to join the Local union in their specific geographical area where the work is taking place. Don’t worry if you work in more than one market, as you may become members of more than one local union.
Initially, there will be no initiation or application fees for the first year 2024 of this rollout. Any extensions of these fee waivers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Not all workers on a Touring Crew want or need the benefits being offered by the IATSE. The programs being offered by the Union will be available to those Crew Members who are interested. If you don’t ask to participate, you will not be forced or solicited. Information will be available through this website going forward that will allow workers to make the decision to participate with the union and union benefits on their own time. If you decide this is not something you are interested in, that’s OK, it’s about the worker.
If 51% of the workers on the Crew opt to be represented by the union, the Company will be required by law to meet with the Crew to discuss a contract. Everyone will benefit from the negotiated terms including wages, benefits, and working conditions outlined in the union contract. It is our intent to make these programs available to workers and companies looking to voluntarily provide these benefit programs.
There will be no initiation or application fees for the first year (2024). Any extensions of these fee waivers will be determined past 2024 and assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Concert Touring Crew Workers will be given ACT (Associated Craft Technician) Cards. ACT card members make up the majority of the Broadway Touring Community. The Broadway Touring Workers contracts include the benefits, training and wages available to the Concert Touring Community. ACT membership cost $132 a quarter / $528 per year.
Workers who express interest will have the opportunity to complete an application to join the Local union in their specific geographical area where they live. Local union membership cost vary and will entail small annual dues and fees. These cost are determined democratically by the members of each respective Local union. These finances are necessary for continuing to negotiate contracts that benefit the workers down the road.
Next Steps
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