Washington, DC — 150 production workers and box office staff at four of Washington D.C.’s most renowned concert venues have voted decisively to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Locals 22 and 868. The victory at venues operated by I.M.P. represents a significant step forward for workers across the live music industry.
In a vote which concluded on January 21st, stagehands, technicians, and riggers voted 48-11 to join IATSE Local 22, while ticket office workers voted unanimously 25-0 to join IATSE Local 868. The organizing effort covers approximately 150 workers across four historic Washington venues, the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis, and Lincoln Theatre.
The decisive win comes after months of organizing by workers who sought union representation to address concerns about wages, working conditions, and job security at the venues. After I.M.P. voluntarily recognized Unite Here Local 25 to represent hospitality workers in November 2025, the company declined to extend the same recognition to production and box office workers represented by IATSE, forcing the locals to petition the NLRB for an election.
“It’s been so meaningful to watch the generation coming up after me refuse to allow their passion for their livelihood be leveraged into accepting less than they deserve,” said Christopher “Goose” Ruble, Secretary-Treasurer of IATSE Local 22. “I remember when I got fed up with being taken advantage of for enjoying my work, and it’s amazing to see that sentiment spreading through live event workers.”
Anne Vantine, President of IATSE Local 868, emphasized the broader significance of the win: “It means security for the IMP workers, a much-needed morale boost for 868 members who are navigating a challenging time at the Kennedy Center, and hopefully spurs other Box Offices to seek representation.”
The organizing campaign faced significant opposition from management, which employed traditional anti-union tactics. Despite these obstacles, workers showed strong and visible solidarity with their Unite Here colleagues, wearing union t-shirts, buttons, and pins throughout the campaign. Both IATSE and Unite had coordinated their organizing efforts and petition for voluntary recognition in November. The newly organized workers will now move forward to negotiate their first union contracts with I.M.P. IATSE Locals 22 and 868 will represent their members in bargaining for fair wages, benefits, working conditions, and workplace protections.
