Chicago, IL — Studio Technicians at the Big Ten Network (BTN) in Chicago, IL have officially ratified their first union contract with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 762. The near-unanimous ratification vote (28-3) adds approximately 45 new members to the union.
The bargaining unit includes Pilots/Technical Directors, Audio Mixers, Capture Playback Operators, Jib Operators, Floor Directors, Pedestal and Steadicam Operators, Ticker, Ingest, and Transmission Technicians. The crew is responsible for producing BTN’s daily shows, including The BIG Show and BIG Today, which deliver Big Ten Conference coverage for one of the nation’s most prominent college sports conferences.
This contract marks the culmination of a determined five-year organizing campaign. In June 2024, technicians delivered a decisive 27–2 vote in favor of unionizing with IATSE. With their first contract now finalized, workers will receive significant wage increases of 8–15% over its 4-year term in addition to comprehensive health and retirement benefits. These improvements will finally bring long-awaited parity with other studio crews in the Chicago market.
For years, BTN relied heavily on a revolving door of interns from Big Ten schools, requiring studio technicians to train an influx of temporary labor, often feeling as though they were preparing their own replacements. Through organizing, members successfully negotiated enforceable protections, fair compensation for training, and long-overdue recognition of their experience and skills.
“This was a long fight, but this first contract represents the future and the product of several years of solidarity, perseverance, trust, and an unwavering belief in each other,” said IATSE International Representative Justin Conway. “I am inspired to see this group of younger workers unite and win their shot at upward economic justice.”
Allan Patricio, BTN Studio Transmission Operator, shared, “I’m looking forward to building on the foundation we built with this first contract and sharing with other units within BTN how we were able to accomplish our goals with the hope that it will help create an even better working environment for themselves and others.”
BTN technicians also expressed pride in the protections and stability secured through union representation. Kevin Bradley, Organizer and BTN Studio Pilot said, “Union representation means having the collective strength as working-class people to get the things we deserve to make the workplace a better environment. I’m looking forward to the stability and security that being represented brings.” This victory strengthens Local 762’s role in Chicago’s broadcast sector and sets a precedent for studio crews nationwide. Workers seeking to improve their conditions can learn more at iatse.net/join.
