Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Makeup and Hair Workers at ESPN Vendor Join IATSE

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.

Hair and makeup artists employed by an ESPN contractor have voted overwhelmingly to form a union with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 798.

The workers are employed by Distinct Artistry to manage the on-screen appearances of ESPN’s studio hosts, commentators and guests at the network headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, as well as at major sporting events. Staff cited the need for health insurance, retirement benefits and workplace protections as core motivations for organizing.

“Local 798 has stood in solidarity with the Distinct Artistry Hair and Make-Up Artists and is thrilled they have voted for union representation,” said Local 798 President Angela Johnson. “We are optimistic that Distinct Artistry will meet us at the bargaining table and negotiate a contract in good faith.”