Tradeshow workers are standing together to demand essential access to healthcare, training, robust safety measurers, mental health resources, and avenues for professional growth. If enough of us take action and join together, we will be able to negotiate a contract as a group to address industry issues bigger than any one worker, company, or show.
Fill out the form below and an organizer will contact you
Lack of transparency in rates for your job title? Hard to negotiate an increase in your rate?
IATSE HAS WON:
Required, transparent minimum base salaries
Negotiated pay raises
Holiday Pay
Moving from health care plan to health care plan? Having to buy health care yourself or lacking coverage?
IATSE HAS WON:
Industry-wide portable benefits plans (health, pension/annuity, training)
Health care moves with you from employer to employer, continuous coverage
Training for new technology (check out the IATSE Training Trust Fund!)
Concerned about harassment and discrimination in the workplace?
IATSE HAS WON:
Provided representation and advocacy in discrimination cases
Negotiated stronger protections for LGBTQ folks beyond what local and federal law requires
Won pay parity for historically non-male job classifications
Anything that is a term or condition of employment—that people in your workplace want to address—is fair game for bargaining.
IATSE HAS WON:
Recognition of union stewards at job sites, to ensure compliance with contract.
Creation of an escrow account for at-risk employers to ensure their employees’ wages & benefits are paid
‘Just cause’ requirement for any discipline and/or termination.
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.
Employers contribute an agreed amount over and above your wages that is sent in your name to the IATSE National Benefit Fund. The money from 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
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 the collective 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.
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.
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 union will not replace you or your coworkers with other IATSE workers, including through referrals.
The purpose of referral systems are to fill jobs that otherwise would be empty or understaffed, like if someone calls out sick or several large productions come to your area at once.
In other words, some members may be referred to jobs in instances where those productions are short-staffed, but these workers will generally be in addition to the present workforce.
If 60% of the workers at your company opt to be represented by the union by signing cards, everyone will benefit from the negotiated terms including wages, benefits, and working conditions outlined in the union contract.
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.
IATSE Representatives will be assigned to provide guidance throughout the application process, including helping individuals determine the appropriate Local to apply to.
Please note that union membership entails small annual dues and fees, which 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.
If you are interested in getting IATSE contract benefits and training in place at your worksite, contact an organizer.
For a union contract to go into effect at your workplace, 60% of the company’s employees must have signed authorization cards.
Signing a card means you want access to an IATSE contract with benefits, training, and better conditions.
Yes! Please email use our contact form and someone will answer your questions.
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.
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