This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 64 of our affiliates. Next up is Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Name of Union: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

Mission: To improve the lives of behind-the-scenes entertainment workers by securing fair wages, safe working conditions, strong benefits, and respect for every craft in film, television, live events, the performing arts and other sectors of the entertainment industry.

Current Leadership of Union: Matthew D. Loeb serves as international president. He was first elected in 2008 and was reelected to his fourth term in 2025. He has been a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 since 1989, Local 52 since 1996 and Local 491 since it was established in 1994. Loeb was IATSE’s first director of Motion Picture and Television Production. He also serves on UNI Global Union’s World Executive Board and is president of UNI’s Media, Entertainment and Arts sector. 

James B. Wood is the general secretary-treasurer. IATSE also has 13 international vice presidents: Michael J. Barnes, Damian Petti, Michael F. Miller Jr., John Lewis, Craig Carlson, Colleen A. Glynn, Paul F. Dean Jr., Carlos Cota, Toni Burns, Apple Thorne, Chris O’Donnell, Vanessa Holtgrewe and Carl Mulert.

Current Number of Members: 170,000

Members Work As: Virtually all behind-the-scenes entertainment jobs, in crafts ranging from motion picture animators to theater ushers.

Industries Represented: All forms of live theater, motion picture and television production and postproduction, trade shows and exhibitions, television broadcasting, concerts, video games, and the equipment and construction shops that support all these areas of the entertainment industry. 

History: IATSE formed in 1893 when representatives of stagehands from 11 cities met in New York. They pledged to support each other’s efforts to obtain better wages and working conditions. As technology advanced, the union moved to embrace workers in emerging crafts, expanding their movement beyond the stage to the nascent silent film industry in the 1920s. The union continues to carry this legacy through its adaptable structure and ambitious organizing goals that helped IATSE become the largest entertainment union in the world.

Current Campaigns: IATSE continues to organize workers in entertainment crafts that involve new technologies or have been historically unrepresented, including workers in visual effects, video games and off-Broadway.

Legislative and political activism and advocacy are a constant as the union seeks to protect union jobs in the United States and Canada in the face of increased globalization of the film and television industry. Read the complete IATSE Federal Issue Agenda here.

The campaign to protect workers from harmful effects of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation in the entertainment industry is a key priority, and involves a multipronged approach including contract negotiations, contract enforcement, legislative lobbying, member education and more. Read IATSE’s core principles for addressing AI here.

IATSE recently launched a campaign to win health and retirement benefits for concert touring crews, and has been engaging directly with well-known musicians and their crews to make it possible.

Community Efforts: IATSE provides education and training for union leaders and members. The union has significant mutual aid capability, with members coming together to support members in need during the Southern California wildfires in 2025. IATSE also has scholarships for members and their families. IATSE has created constituency committees: Women’s; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Pride; Young Workers; Disaster Response; and Green.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Members of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) who work at the South Florida Sun Sentinel have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with the newspaper’s management and parent company, Alden Global Capital.

The SunSentinel Guild bargaining unit unanimously approved the two-year deal, which establishes annual raises and landmark protections from artificial intelligence. This is the first union contract in the newspaper’s 115-year history.

“I could not be more proud of our unit membership for voting unanimously to ratify this contract,” said AmyBeth Bennett, a Sun Sentinel photographer who led a bargaining committee that negotiated with Alden management. “Being able to give our membership 3% raises this year and next, as well as a $1,500 bonus, seems like a pretty great holiday present to me!”

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Workers at Alstom’s factory in Plattsburgh, New York, ratified its first collective bargaining agreement, following an earlier vote to join the IAM Union (IAM).

The three-year agreement includes an immediate 3% pay raise over a 2.8% increase already received in April 2025; a classification system with increased pay rates effective Jan. 1, 2027; a 2.75% increase on Jan. 1, 2028; a pay differential for the second and third shifts; and improvements in benefits, time off and job security.

“This agreement replaces uncertainty with enforceable rules and real protections,” said Josh Hartford, IAM special assistant to the international president for the Rail Division. “More importantly, it establishes a solid foundation from which IAM Union members at Alstom can continue to build power, improve working conditions and raise standards across the rail industry.”

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

Each month, Equity shares the names of recently deceased members in order to honor their passing and pay our respects. You may read about the losses in our community reported to Equity for December 2025 on the member portal. https://bit.ly/3N15pZ3

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) January 7, 2026 at 10:52 AM

AFSCME:

Now’s our chance for Congress to restore funding for ACA premium tax credits and lower health care costs for millions of Americans. Email your member of Congress now and demand they vote YES. https://t.co/Wcrzi1VDeK pic.twitter.com/7avxCx2tgU

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) January 7, 2026

Alliance for Retired Americans:

By the time the wealthiest Americans get their first paycheck this year, they'll have finished paying into Social Security until 2027. It's time for Congress to #ScrapTheCap and make sure everyone pays their fair share!

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) January 6, 2026

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Tonight, ATU International President John Costa was honored to swear in the newly elected officers of ATU Local 241 in Chicago. This ceremony is a powerful reminder that union democracy matters, and our strength comes from members having a voice in choosing their leaders.… pic.twitter.com/JDz7SM94pz

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) January 7, 2026

American Federation of Teachers:

Congratulations to Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota on a tentative agreement that avoids a strike and delivers a better path forward for students and the educators who serve them! @EducationMN https://t.co/AZWgbBxxJM

— AFT (@AFTunion) January 7, 2026

American Postal Workers Union:

USPS updates about postmarks clarify their policy, but mail is moving more slowly. Service cuts and potential delays in processing mail raise serious concerns for time-sensitive Election Mail nationwide. We're calling on USPS to fully engage its “extraordinary measures” this… pic.twitter.com/JpIijyoSgj

— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) January 6, 2026

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

In January 2025, PSA Airlines announced plans to move its headquarters from Dayton to Charlotte. While the airline now celebrates the opening of its new headquarters, it has forgotten the workers who keep the airline flying. #ContractNow pic.twitter.com/dL3BwAWgon

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) January 5, 2026

Boilermakers:

ICYMI: #Boilermakers gave back to their community this holiday season

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Boston firefighters—members of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 718—have ratified a new contract that includes major wins for the dedicated first responders.

The new agreement will boost firefighter pay by 8.5% over the course of the contract lifetime, establish longevity step raises, increase line-of-duty death benefits and create a new streamlined pay system.

“Local 718 is very proud of this contract that we were able to negotiate with the City of Boston,” union President Sam Dillon said. “It recognizes the services and sacrifices that our firefighters deliver every single day, as well as taking care of their families.”

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

DreamWorks Remote Workers, Netflix and ‘Ted’ Show Production Workers Vote to Form Unions: In three separate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) victories, DreamWorks Animation remote workers, feature production staff at Netflix Animation Studios and production workers on the show “Ted” have voted to join with The Animation Guild (TAG), IATSE Local 839, and the Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700. These resounding election wins were fueled by members’ commitment to ensuring fair pay and treatment for all animation workers. “These units overwhelmingly voted in favor of TAG representation after facing the degrading process of being forced into an NLRB election and the unnecessary delay of the government shutdown,” said TAG’s Business Representative Steve Kaplan. “We are continuing to expand our jurisdiction both inside and outside the scope of our Master Agreement as we continue to look forward to protecting the rights of all animation workers regardless of zip code.”

Barnes & Noble Workers in Connecticut Win First Contract: Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 919 who work at a Barnes & Noble location in North Haven, Connecticut, unanimously ratified their first contract. The bargaining unit includes booksellers and cafe baristas who first joined UFCW in April 2025 to improve their work hours, scheduling, promotion protocol, pay and overall workplace experience. Their new deal establishes a fair grievance procedure, three guaranteed raises over the lifetime of the contract, layoff protections, improved holiday pay and more. “These workers demonstrated true enthusiasm during the bargaining process and at their ratification meeting,” said Local 919 President Mark A. Espinosa. “There is no better example of why we do what we do every day: listen to our members and improve their workplaces and their lives.”

Boston Firefighters Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement with City: Boston firefighters—members of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 718—have ratified a new contract that includes major wins for the dedicated first responders. The new agreement will boost firefighter pay by 8.5% over the course of the contract lifetime, establish longevity step raises, increase line-of-duty death benefits and create a new streamlined pay system. “Local 718 is very proud of this contract that we were able to negotiate with the City of Boston,” union President Sam Dillon said. “It recognizes the services and sacrifices that our firefighters deliver every single day, as well as taking care of their families.”

IAM Union Members at Ohio’s Libbey Glass Win Contract After 18-Week Strike: After bravely holding the line for four months, IAM Union Local 1297 members who work at Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio, have finally secured a fair contract. Two bargaining units at Libbey Glass—the other represented by United Steelworkers (USW)—walked off the job in August over inadequate wages, mandatory overtime and rising health insurance costs. The new IAM Union contract includes major victories like immediate wage hikes of 14.25%, more paid holidays, no increases for health insurance premium contributions for 2026, retention of premium pay for overtime and more. Their USW siblings remain on the picket line as they continue to fight for their own fair agreement. “I am incredibly proud of the members of IAM Local 1297 and their families,” IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright Jr. said. “I also wish to thank my staff at IAM District 54, as well as the Libbey shop committee, who worked tirelessly not only during these past four months of the strike but also through the numerous months of negotiations prior to that, in order to safeguard the rights and benefits of our members at Libbey Glass. Additionally, I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the Toledo-area community for their steadfast support throughout the strike, particularly the labor community and UAW Local 12. I would also like to specifically acknowledge the efforts of USW Locals 700T, 65T, 59M, and their members, to secure improved contracts for all workers at Libbey Glass.”

Legacy APPs Ratify Historic First Contract, End Work Stoppage: Legacy Health Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)—who are represented by the AFT-affiliated Oregon Nurses Association (ONA)—voted overwhelmingly on Friday to ratify a new contract and end their 29-day strike. A group of 140 nurse practitioners, physician associates and clinical nurse specialists at hospitals and clinics around Oregon and southwest Washington began an open-ended work stoppage after Legacy refused to budge on its “last, best, and final” offer. ONA met with management multiple times over the course of the strike and, through members’ unwavering commitment to one another, won an agreement after more than 18 months of bargaining. The new deal includes wins like across-the-board wage increases, clearer pay scales, just-cause protections for discipline and more. “We’re incredibly proud of what we accomplished together on the strike line,” said Megan Barckert, a nurse practitioner in oncology and member of the bargaining team. “Advanced practice providers make up 41% of all providers nationally and that number is steadily growing. Our strike is a clear representation of this changing market. APPs are integral leaders within healthcare and our voices will not be silenced.”

Fenway Concessions Workers Ratify New Contract: After months of work stoppages and negotiations, UNITE HERE Local 26 members at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall closed out 2025 with a powerful five-year agreement. The new deal with food services contractor Aramark establishes the largest wage increases in the history of the historic baseball park. Automation was another core sticking point in bargaining and members successfully secured new provisions that set staff oversight standards for new technology. “It came out well in the end, we got a fair contract,” said Austin Petruzziello, a Fenway vendor. “It's not just about the higher wages, it's about the respect as well. We now have staffing mandates and stable schedules so no one's getting overworked like they were before.” “And together we were able to reach an agreement that the tech will still be there so that fans can get their beer a little bit faster, but our members aren’t gonna bear the cost of that,” said Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo. “And I think that is a model that really should exist in any discussion of technology in the workplace. And I am so proud of our members, who had to have some tough conversations about this, who were able to get to a place where we were able to settle the agreement on tech.”

Professional Hockey Players’ Association Members Approve Deal with ECHL: The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) announced a new contract Tuesday with ECHL, a minor professional ice hockey league, ending a work stoppage. The PHPA represents all professional hockey players in the American Hockey League and ECHL and is the only minor league players association within a major league sport. Its membership includes more than 1,800 players across 62 teams. This deal comes after a powerful and unified strike, during which members forced the postponement of 41 games in order to secure the fair contract they deserve. “This agreement reflects the unity, resolve, professionalism and discipline of our members throughout this process,” said PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay. “Meaningful progress was made in several key areas identified as priorities by our members, and this outcome would not have been possible without their engagement and support. On behalf of the PHPA, I want to thank our Bargaining Committee, our ECHL membership, and the PHPA staff for their work in reaching this agreement, as well as our brothers and sisters from the AFL-CIO, NHLPA, PWHLPA, NFLPA, and CFLPA, and labor organizations from across North America for their unwavering support.”

AGMA and Dance Theatre of Harlem Jointly Announce First Collective Bargaining Agreement in Decades: The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Dance Theatre of Harlem announced the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement, marking their first union contract in many years. Ratified by the company artists of Dance Theatre of Harlem and approved by Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Board of Directors and AGMA’s Board of Governors, the new agreement reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence, equity, sustainability and the long-term well-being of the company artists. The Dance Theatre of Harlem company artists were formerly AGMA members for more than a decade starting in the late 1980s, but this agreement marks their first union contract in many years. “As the company’s first union contract in decades, this agreement reflects a renewed commitment to collaboration and care,” said AGMA delegates and company artists Micah Bullard, Delaney Washington and David Wright. “We’re proud of what this contract secures for the dancers of Dance Theatre of Harlem today and the strong foundation it lays for the future.” The agreement includes a new compensation structure resulting in average wage increases of 29% effective July 1, 2026, and additional wage increases in subsequent years; establishes clear standards around scheduling and rest; strengthens health and safety protections; provides meaningful improvements to touring conditions; and creates new, structured channels for dialogue between artists and board leadership, strengthening transparency, mutual understanding and shared stewardship of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s mission. “This agreement is a unique example of what’s possible when artists and management come to the table with a shared commitment to partnership,” said Jeffrey Boyd, AGMA national executive director. “What makes this contract especially meaningful is not only what it achieves on paper, but the spirit in which it was reached—a spirit that we look forward to building on together in the years ahead.”

UNITE HERE Members at Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency Secure New Contract with $20 Minimum Wage: UNITE HERE members at the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency hotels in San Antonio unanimously ratified new union contracts securing significant improvements in wages and benefits. The newly ratified contracts cover three years and will ensure that housekeepers, laundry attendants and other hourly workers will earn a minimum wage of $20 per hour by May 2026. The contracts also include reduced health care costs, the recognition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday, enhanced rights for tipped workers and workload reductions for housekeepers. “With the wage increases, I’ll be able to actually save and not have to worry so much every month about all of my expenses,” said Mary Saucedo, a housekeeper at the Grand Hyatt for 16 years. “This contract is a huge victory, and I want to recognize Hyatt for sitting down, negotiating in good faith and reaching a historic agreement,” said Willy Gonzalez, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 23. “Our members have again proven that through collective action, they can win life-changing wages and benefits.”

Portland Mercury Journalists Secure First Union Contract: Journalists at the Portland (Oregon) Mercury and several other businesses owned by Noisy Creek ratified their first union contract. In addition to the Mercury, the contract covers workers at The Stranger in Seattle, the EverOut events guide in Portland and Seattle and the event ticketing platform Bold Type Tickets. The unit includes 18 workers: reporters, customer service employees, writers, art and design production employees, and an IT manager. Then-owner Index Newspapers voluntarily agreed to recognize the union. Then the company was sold to a newly formed media group, Noisy Creek, in July 2024. Noisy Creek and the union reached an interim agreement that fall. The new contract maintains that minimum and adds annual cost-of-living adjustments and higher minimums for longer-term employees. The new contract also secured severance in the event of layoffs, additional paid holidays, employer payment of professional development costs and moving expenses if workers are transferred, and limits on return-to-office mandates. The contract runs through Dec. 31, 2028. “King County workers get four things out of the deal: continued progressive media coverage in the PNW, financial returns and ownership in a profitable company, a fair and respectful unionization process, and increased labor coverage,” said MLK Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Katie Garrow.

Minnesota Nurses Ratify Union Contract with Essentia Health-Virginia Hospital: After 10 bargaining sessions that began in July, nurses at Essentia Health-Virginia Hospital, members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU)) voted to ratify their union contract on Wednesday. More than 100 nurses are covered by the three-year contract that is effective through July 31, 2028. “This contract was won because nurses stood together,” said Jodi Hensley, RN and co-chair of the bargaining committee. “By voting to ratify this agreement, nurses showed the strength of our collective voice and our shared commitment to protecting patient care and respect for those who provide it.” Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association say they “remain committed to advancing patient centered healthcare that is accessible, sustainable and guided by frontline expertise. Through ongoing solidarity, nurses will continue to use their seat at the table to advocate for their patients, profession and the community.”

It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X.

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

Happy New Year from our @CaliforniaLabor family to yours!

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) announced a new contract Tuesday with ECHL, a minor professional ice hockey league, ending a work stoppage.

The PHPA represents all professional hockey players in the American Hockey League and ECHL and is the only minor league players association within a major league sport. Its membership includes more than 1,800 players across 62 teams. This deal comes after a powerful and unified strike, during which members forced the postponement of 41 games in order to secure the fair contract they deserve.

“This agreement reflects the unity, resolve, professionalism and discipline of our members throughout this process,” said PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay. “Meaningful progress was made in several key areas identified as priorities by our members, and this outcome would not have been possible without their engagement and support. On behalf of the PHPA, I want to thank our Bargaining Committee, our ECHL membership, and the PHPA staff for their work in reaching this agreement, as well as our brothers and sisters from the AFL-CIO, NHLPA, PWHLPA, NFLPA, and CFLPA, and labor organizations from across North America for their unwavering support.”

Tags: Organizing

Since Jan. 1, out-of-pocket insurance prices are doubling—or more—for most people enrolled in health care plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. That’s because President Trump’s allies in Congress allowed crucial ACA subsidies to expire in December.

But Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has filed a discharge petition to force the House to vote on a clean three-year extension of these ACA tax credits. Just before the holidays, the petition received 218 bipartisan signatures—enough to call for a vote on this critical legislation this week. 

The House MUST vote yes on an extension of the ACA credits. Please make a call to tell your representative to stop the health care price spike now! Call 262-235-7524.

Working people have been saying it loud and clear for months: We will not accept higher health care costs, lost jobs or bare-bones coverage offered as a solution to this self-inflicted price hike imposed by President Trump and his congressional allies.

Unless Congress acts, millions could be priced out of their insurance and lose coverage altogether.  And when fewer people can afford their insurance and more rely on emergency rooms for care, health care costs will ultimately rise for everyone—including people who get their health insurance through their jobs. 

The last thing families need is health care bills soaring at a time when we’re also dealing with rising food, housing, electricity, gas and other costs. 

Congress must act. Please call your representative and tell them to extend the ACA tax credits NOW! Call 262-235-7524.

Our message is simple: Stop the health care price spikes working families are facing. 

Thank you for standing up for working people who are already struggling to pay the bills.

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Dance Theatre of Harlem announced the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement, marking their first union contract in many years.

Ratified by the company artists of Dance Theatre of Harlem and approved by Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Board of Directors and AGMA’s Board of Governors, the new agreement reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence, equity, sustainability and the long-term well-being of the company artists. The Dance Theatre of Harlem company artists were formerly AGMA members for more than a decade starting in the late 1980s, but this agreement marks their first union contract in many years.

“As the company’s first union contract in decades, this agreement reflects a renewed commitment to collaboration and care,” said AGMA delegates and company artists Micah Bullard, Delaney Washington and David Wright. “We’re proud of what this contract secures for the dancers of Dance Theatre of Harlem today and the strong foundation it lays for the future.”

The agreement includes a new compensation structure resulting in average wage increases of 29% effective July 1, 2026, and additional wage increases in subsequent years; establishes clear standards around scheduling and rest; strengthens health and safety protections; provides meaningful improvements to touring conditions; and creates new, structured channels for dialogue between artists and board leadership, strengthening transparency, mutual understanding and shared stewardship of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s mission.

“This agreement is a unique example of what’s possible when artists and management come to the table with a shared commitment to partnership,” said Jeffrey Boyd, AGMA national executive director. “What makes this contract especially meaningful is not only what it achieves on paper, but the spirit in which it was reached—a spirit that we look forward to building on together in the years ahead.”