Together, we are building a stronger future for State Theatre workers! We are uniting with IATSE Local 114 for a common cause: fair wages, benefits, safety and career training.
Every voice matters! At a date to be determined, an election will be held for all State Theatre workers to decide the future – a future with a union that amplifies our collective strength and voices. Vote Yes for a union and pave the way for better working conditions, fair compensation, and the recognition we have earned!
Join us on this journey towards a more equitable and better workplace. Together, we can make a difference!
The IATSE was built by workers 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, IATSE is uniquely positioned and has the industry experience to win major gains on benefits, training, rest, pay and other important issues.
Signing an authorization card is a major step in forming a union with IATSE. By signing an authorization card, you declare your support for a union at work. It’s the formal way to show that you want a union job.
The signing of authorization cards is confidential. The IATSE will never share authorization cards with your employer. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for signing an authorization card. Any retaliation would be a violation of labor laws.
If enough workers sign authorization cards, your employer may voluntarily recognize the union. Otherwise, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will conduct an election of employees. If the union wins the election or receives voluntary recognition, it becomes certified. You and your coworkers become members of a collective bargaining unit. You and your union will then negotiate with your employer on your behalf.
If the union does not win the election and the employer does not voluntarily recognize it, the authorization cards have no further effect, and the union will not represent you.
Signing the card is an initial step in the unionization process. It shows your commitment to union representation but does not yet make you a union member.
If the union is certified, employees in the bargaining unit can apply for membership.
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 won agreements with improved working conditions for countless crews throughout North America.
Collective Bargaining: A union with IATSE gives you and your coworkers a collective voice in negotiations with your employer. This means you can work together to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Job Security: IATSE negotiates contracts that include provisions for job security, protecting workers from unfair treatment or arbitrary dismissals.
Fair Wages: Through collective bargaining, IATSE aims to ensure that workers receive fair and competitive wages that reflect their skills and contributions.
Improved Benefits: IATSE advocates for comprehensive benefit packages, including healthcare, retirement plans, and other perks that contribute to your overall well-being.
Better Working Conditions: IATSE focuses on creating safe and healthy workplaces. Joining a union can lead to improvements in working conditions for you and your colleagues.
Representation: IATSE provides representation and support if you encounter workplace issues, ensuring your concerns are addressed effectively.
Career Development: IATSE invests in training and development programs for their members, offering opportunities for skill enhancement and career advancement.
No. The union will not replace you or your coworkers with other IATSE workers.
IATSE Local 114’s objective is to improve your job by negotiating for a contract that includes benefits, fair wages, and career growth opportunities.
Upon the approval of the initial contract, all covered workers will be eligible for IATSE membership, and both initiation and processing fees will be waived.
Joining a union involves some costs, but these are outweighed by the benefits. A fraction of your wage is paid back to the Union to help negotiate the contract and cover the cost of protecting your rights as an employee under the terms of the agreement and the law. Dues cover the administrative cost of collective bargaining.
The IATSE waives application fees and initiation fees for new organizing drive.
Dues costs are determined through democratic processes within each respective Local union and are essential for sustained efforts in negotiating contracts that secure long-term benefits for workers.
Yes! Please email Local 114 Business Agent Devon Medeiros:
businessagent@ia114.com
State Theatre management may be speaking with you about why you should not vote for representation with the IATSE. They may give you anti-union talking points about the costs of being in a union, about rules and regulations and other items to disparage the “big bad union”. They will you they prefer to keep things the way they are – to allow for “flexibility” and to remain “competitive”. We believe that what they mean is they want to keep paying you low wages with poor working conditions with you having little to no voice on the job.
IATSE has extensive experience representing regional theatre and live event crews in the Northeast. Including workers at Goodspeed, Southern New Hampshire University arena, Palace Theatre, and the Schubert Theatre. We encourage you to talk to other union members for their perspective on what working union means to them.
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.
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.
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
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 an IATSE contract. Non-members will need to undergo verification before enrolling in a class.
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.
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.
All submissions are strictly confidential. By submitting this form, you agree to our privacy policy.
We started a podcast about the comeback of the Live Events Industry following the extended industry-wide shutdown due to COVID-19.
The Live Event Workers Podcast is supported by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), The Union Behind Entertainment.
