CLINTON, IA — The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is taking action against the organizers of Tailgate N’ Tallboys, alleging ‘USA Concerts and Events’ breached a labor agreement and refused to hire local stagehands in Clinton, IA as well as Bloomington, IL, the union announced Wednesday.

USA Concerts and Events signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Davenport, Iowa-based IATSE Local 85 in 2023. From rigging and forklift operation to spotlighting and camera work, union members have ensured safe, efficient, and professional execution of the event’s technical needs. Similarly, Local 193 of central Illinois has covered the festival’s operations for nearly a decade.

“Our Local has safely and flawlessly serviced the Tailgate N’ Tallboys Festival in Clinton since its inception,” said IATSE Local 85 Business Agent Joe Goodall. “This event is a vital source of income for many area workers and their families. It’s deeply disappointing that the organizers are forcing us to pursue legal action simply to ensure fair treatment for the local workers that have helped make this festival possible.”

The situation is further aggravated by the festival’s actions in Bloomington, Illinois, where Tailgate N’ Tallboys also refused to hire area IATSE workers from Local 193. This pattern of bypassing local union labor undermines prevailing wage standards and deprives professionals of vital work in their own communities. 

“After almost ten years of IATSE Local 193 members serving as the dedicated workforce for Tailgate N’ Tallboys, organizers want to abandon the workers and community that made it into the large and successful event it is today in favor of an out-of-state labor company. It’s extremely disheartening,” said IATSE Local 193 Business Agent Michael Irvin.

USA Concerts’ decision to bypass union crews in favor of an out-of-state, non-union labor provider not only undermines standards for live event workers in the Midwest but also attempts to violate an established Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The contract contains a clear Evergreen clause, which automatically renews the deal unless terminated by written notice, but no such notice was given.

The Locals involved, with support from International union, are pursuing legal remedies and have issued a formal notice to USA Concerts, reinforcing their contractual obligations. IATSE continues to call on the organizers of Tailgate N’ Tallboys to honor their signed agreement and support the local communities they operate in by hiring qualified, area union labor.