Vero Beach, FL – Full-time Stage Technicians at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL have won their union with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 500 after voting to unionize in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recognition election earlier this month. The eight crewmembers in charge of carpentry, lighting, wardrobe, props, and audio voted 6-2 in favor of unionization. 

Riverside Theater is a self-producing venue of theatrical events and hosts one of the largest theatrical campuses in Southern Florida, consisting of three different stages as well as an outdoor concert venue and a black box performance space. The union organizing drive began in December with workers collecting authorization cards, culminating in an election on April 2nd. 

IATSE International Representative Bo Howard said, “Throughout the unionization process, the Riverside crew demonstrated their solidarity and strength by resisting management’s anti-union propaganda campaign. We are proud to welcome this crew into our growing ranks and stand ready to support them however we can.” 

Following the successful unionization election, the next step will be for workers to collectively bargain a contract with theater management to address factors such as benefits, wages, hours, and overall working conditions.  “I’m very excited and hopeful about the union,” said one crewmember. “I look forward to bargaining a union contract that meets our needs as skilled craftspeople.” 

This victory comes as regional theater workers throughout the country continue to join IATSE in order to win improved working conditions, comprehensive training, robust safety measures, and benefits. If you are interested in joining the movement, head to iatse.net/join to contact an organizer.