Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Arizona Theatre Company Workers Ratify First Contract with IATSE; Secure Wage Increases, Other Benefits

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 Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) voted 15–1 to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement. The workers, represented by Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 415, nearly unanimously approved the contract.

The contract covers 19 workers across scenic carpentry, painting, lighting, video, audio, properties, costume, hair and makeup, and other theatrical crafts at Arizona’s only League of Resident Theatres professional regional theater.

The contract includes wage increases averaging 15%, continuation of health insurance coverage during layoffs for seasonal workers, improved overtime conditions, increased sick leave and protected days off.

“I could not be more proud of the current generation of ATC employees who have fought so hard for this right. We are thrilled to be joining our union kin in IATSE, Actors’ Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and SAG-AFTRA,” said ATC employee Matthew Devore, who has worked at the company for 18 years.