ASHLAND, OR — Sixteen Box Office and Group Sales workers at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) have unanimously ratified their first union contract with IATSE Local 154, marking a major victory in their fight for respect on the job at the largest repertory theatre in the country.
The path to the agreement was a hard-fought battle. During the workers’ push for a union contract, the festival brought in an outside consultant, leading to regressive bargaining and withdrawn proposals. In response, workers leafleted before and after performances, launched a letter-writing campaign to OSF leadership, and circulated a public petition. When management still refused to improve its initial wage offer of just 1% annual raises, preparations for public bannering and work actions were made, eventually resulting in the workers winning a tentative agreement on June 3 following a 10-hour bargaining session.
The final contract, unanimously ratified five days later, includes guaranteed hours (ensuring healthcare access), rest days, staffing minimums, just-cause termination, recall rights, a cell phone stipend, and a labor/management committee, among other gains.
This victory is the latest milestone for IATSE Local 154, which has grown from 65 members at its 2016 founding to over 150 today, now representing workers in 18 OSF departments including Facilities, Finance, Costume Shop, Front of House, Access, Concessions, and all Run Crews. With Box office and Sales workers joining the union, the local continues to strengthen worker power at one of America’s most storied theaters.
“Our Box Office workers are resilient, hardworking people who deserve a fair contract. After nine months of negotiations, they secured working protections that were actively being threatened,” said Breena Cope, IATSE Local 154 Business Agent.” We are proud to represent the box office workers under the Local 154 banner. Every worker at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is valuable and each of them deserve to have their work represented by a strong union contract.
Front of house crews nationwide are coming together to win essential access to healthcare, retirement benefits, 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 an organizer.
