News From IATSE: Box Office Workers at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Unionize With IATSE

 

ASHLAND, OR — Box Office workers at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) have unanimously voted in favor of joining the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 154, the union announced Thursday. This marks the fifth group of workers at OSF to join the union, following the chartering of Local 154 by the festival’s stagehands in 2016. Scenic, props, costume shop artisans, and Facilities/Maintenance workers additionally voted to unionize in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Along with the box office crew, an estimated 1/3 of the roughly 400 OSF staff are now under IATSE representation.

The Ashland Oregon based OSF has an 89-year history of hosting an array of performances. With over 400,000 attendees annually, the festival hosts performances from classics to new works, musicals, and world premieres. “While this unit of 12 workers may seem small, they are a mighty crew,” said IATSE International Representative Amanda Sager. “I think we often forget the important role these workers play. They not only interface with customers at the ticket offices, but field phone calls, enhance the experience for patrons, and everything in between. I’ve learned so much from this group.”

“We are horned to welcome these workers into our Alliance,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “We represent thousands of box office and ticketing staff across North America. These workers are increasingly aware that to gain respect and a seat a table, they must organize.”

Live event and theater workers nationwide are coming together to win essential access to healthcare, training, robust safety measures, mental health resources, and avenues for professional growth. If you are interested in joining the movement, head to iatse.net/join to contact a live events organizer.

# # #

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

For more information please contact:
General: comms@iatse.net
Press: press@iatse.net