Tucson, AZ – In a unanimous vote, workers at The Loft Cinema have officially elected to join IATSE Local 415 following a successful National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election. The group includes 16 employees in roles such as Theater Staff, Film Projection, Purchasing, and Operations.

The Loft Cinema, a nonprofit art house located in Tucson, is known for its dedication to independent film and cultural programming. The venue currently operates three screening spaces and features both digital projection and traditional reel-to-reel 35mm and 70mm film formats.

Organizing efforts began in the fall of 2024, with workers taking the initiative to build momentum on their own. The group reached out to IATSE Local 415 in early 2025, and solidarity remained strong throughout the campaign. In a show of unity, workers created and wore original artwork featuring the IATSE Local 415 emblem in the lead-up to the election.

“This is the second organizing win for Local 415 this year,” said Ian Fritz, Business Agent for IATSE Local 415. “We hope these victories serve as a beacon to other entertainment workers in Tucson, showing that it is possible to come together for better wages, benefits, and a voice on the job.”

Now officially recognized, Loft workers will begin negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement with the venue’s management. They join a long-standing community of cinema workers across North America who have organized with IATSE to improve wages, benefits, safety standards, and working conditions.

This win comes at a time when cinema workers across the country are mobilizing to raise industry standards. If you’re ready to take the next step at your workplace, visit iatse.net/join to connect with an organizer