Chicago, IL – From August 19 to 22, the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago was union-made, with IATSE members from Locals One, 2, 22, 33, 46, 59, 84, 110, 476, 600, 695, 700, 720, 728, 762, 769, 800, USA 829, and ACT producing the historic event. IATSE used their skills to make the DNC go off without a hitch in a clear example of how IATSE members’ work in the entertainment industry intersects with political campaigns and public service.
IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb seized the opportunity to attend, meeting with key political leaders and advocates for policies that directly impact the lives of IATSE members and their families (See Below). The IATSE delegation was present for the historic nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to show support for the presidential candidate endorsed by IATSE’s General Executive Board in July.
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Unions were out in force at this year’s DNC. According to the AFL-CIO, “union” was the defining word of the convention. From union labor at the convention to the 20% of delegates who are union members, the strength of the labor movement was felt at every corner. IATSE members joined fellow unions in celebrating this unity, highlighting the critical role working people play in the success of the Harris-Walz ticket.
In his keynote address on the first night of the convention, United Auto Workers President Sean Fain wore a “Trump is a Scab” shirt— In addition to Trump’s treatment of striking UAW workers in 2019 while he was president, “Trump is a scab” also references the time Donald crossed an IATSE picket line when workers on his own reality show, The Apprentice, stood up for better wages, benefits, and conditions in 2004.
In 2004, Donald Trump crossed one of our picket lines in New York as workers on "The Apprentice" spoke up to get paid fairly. He is the most anti-worker, anti-union president in US history. pic.twitter.com/qH109pzLuM
— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) October 6, 2020
Following the DNC, IATSE spotlighted two 2024 election resources for its membership:
First, IATSE launched the “IATSE for Harris-Walz” webpage, which lays out specific examples where Kamala Harris has stood with IATSE members to advance our priorities and how she has delivered for all workers.
There is also a segment of the webpage remembering the labor record of the Trump Administration, which made workplaces more dangerous, anti-union forces more formidable, and our retirement security more uncertain.
Additionally, each election cycle IATSE highlights the “IATSE Voter Tookit” which contains information about how union members can register to vote, check their voter registration status, find absentee ballot rules (as many IATSE members travel for work, like if they are on tour with a production, for example), and make a plan to vote, to name a few.
The union remains committed to building power for working people in all possible venues, and ensuring all members have the tools they need to vote and to stay informed. As President Loeb emphasized, “The labor movement is the backbone of our democracy, and our union is proud to stand with the Harris-Walz ticket as we fight for a better future for working families.”
