TUCSON, AZ – Workers at Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) voted 15–1 to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement with IATSE Local 415, the union announced Wednesday. The near unanimously approved contract covers 19 workers across scenic carpentry, painting, lighting, video, audio, properties, costume, hair and makeup, and other theatrical crafts at Arizona’s only League of Resident Theatres (LORT) professional regional theater.
Founded more than 50 years ago, ATC builds and produces a full season of shows at its scenic, costume, and properties shops, with performances staged at Tucson’s historic 627-seat Temple of Music and Art.
The road to this agreement began in January 2025, when an ATC worker seeking additional work connected with Local 415, sparking organizing conversations among the staff. On May 15, 2025, employees voted unanimously to be represented by IATSE in an NLRB election.
The contract delivers substantial gains for the bargaining unit, including wage increases averaging 15%, continuation of health insurance coverage during layoff for seasonal workers, improved overtime conditions, increased sick leave, and protected days off.
“We’re very proud of the hard work of the ATC employees during their campaign to unionize and their persistence in bargaining this agreement,” said IATSE Local 415 Business Agent Ian Fritz. “Our union is honored to represent them, and I hope their success sends a message to entertainment workers across Tucson that joining a union is every worker’s right.”
ATC union staff member Allison Gammons reflected on the significance of the moment: “This contract is the result of countless hours of conversation and respects the skills and expertise that ATC production employees have always brought to the arts in Arizona. We’ve created stronger relationships and the whole company will benefit from our renewed spirit of cooperation, mutual encouragement, and celebration. We’re beyond proud to have organized with IATSE Local 415, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to strengthen the union with our membership.”
ATC employee Matthew Devore, who has worked at the company for 18 years, added: “I could not be more proud of the current generation of ATC employees who have fought so hard for this right. We are thrilled to be joining our union kin in IATSE, Actors’ Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and SAG-AFTRA.”
Theatre workers looking to join together to win better workplaces can head to iatse.net/join to contact an IATSE organizer.
