PITTSBURGH — Fourteen wardrobe technicians at the Pittsburgh Public Theater have selected the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes (IATSE) as their bargaining agent, according to an independent audit of union signature cards concluded last week.

The effort by Pittsburgh Public Theater wardrobe employees to be represented by the IATSE began last April when the employees met with representatives of the IATSE. IATSE President Thomas C. Short assigned Special International Representative Patricia White, who is also president of the New York wardrobe local, IATSE Local 764, to assist the Pittsburgh workers.

In June, a majority of the wardrobe employees signed union membership cards. Under Federal labor law, membership cards signify that the workers have selected a bargaining agent. Later, the Pittsburgh Public Theater and the IATSE agreed to a voluntary card check by a neutral third-party.
On October 17, it was certified that a majority of the wardrobe technicians had indeed selected the IATSE as their collective bargaining agent with respect to wages, hours and other conditions of employment. The new contract will be negotiated by the IATSE and the employees will be members of IATSE Local 787.

The union and the Pittsburgh Public Theater are in the process of scheduling their first bargaining session.