NEW YORK, NY — One hundred twenty-five production crewmembers at The Juilliard School have achieved union representation from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election held on Friday. The results of the vote revealed near unanimous support for the union, with over 95% of votes cast in favor.
The group consists of full-time and part-time workers responsible for essential production roles at Juilliard, including scenic shop crew, stagehands, costumers, and hair and makeup artists. Production workers play a crucial role in Juilliard’s operations, providing the canvas that brings performances to life and creating an environment where students can practice and showcase their artistry.
“We know our work, and we know the demands of our shops,” said Lead Carpenter A.J. Coté. “We want our coworkers to thrive. I truly believe collectively we can represent ourselves better as a union. This is our livelihood; we deserve an equal part shaping it.”
Inspired by the broader unionization movement within New York’s off-Broadway community, the crew launched their grassroots campaign a year ago, seeking to establish a stronger voice in their workplace. As a show of their determination, the workers began the campaign with a march on Juilliard management to demand voluntary recognition of their union. In addition, workers created a unique design to represent themselves, combining the iconic IATSE emblem with Juilliard’s beloved penguin mascot as a symbol of their collective unity.
IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb praised the group’s efforts, stating, “These workers understand that a union is the only way to ensure a voice in the workplace. An employer’s promise is meaningless unless it’s in writing in a union contract.”
With this decisive vote, Juilliard’s production crew joins thousands of entertainment industry workers across the country who have unionized with IATSE to secure better working conditions, fair wages, and a voice. Workers interested in joining the movement can head to iatse.net/join to contact an organizer.
