IATSE organizing win follows wave of union recognition and contract victories at Fiserv Forum, Alpine Valley

Stagehands at Riverside Theater in Milwaukee have voted for union representation by The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 18. This organizing effort builds on recent successful organizing efforts and first-time agreements for stagehands at both Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and Alpine Valley in Lafayette.

“We proudly welcome the newest members of the labor movement into our union family and congratulate the hardworking men and women of IATSE Local 18 for joining together in union at Riverside Theater,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Going union will safeguard living wages and safe working conditions for the behind-the-scenes professionals whose dedication and skills bring concerts, comedy, and a variety of local entertainment to life. Coming together in union brings benefits not only to members, but to our nation as a whole as we rebuild our middle class with strong unions.”

“A Stagehand organizing wave is sweeping Wisconsin because there’s no doubt there’s real value in being part of a union, for stagehands and for every working person,” said Thomas Gergerich, Business Manager of IATSE Local 18. “Union membership is the best way to strengthen our middle class, combat income inequality, and ensure all workers have dignity, respect, and a voice on the job. We look forward to working with the Riverside Theater management to secure a fair collective bargaining agreement on behalf of their stagehands.”

“This organizing effort grants Riverside Theater stagehands membership into the IATSE, the most powerful union representing workers “behind the scenes” in film, live theatre, concerts, television and special events of every kind” said Craig Carlson, IATSE International Vice President. “The IATSE family is committed to helping people, in this case, Riverside Stagehands, be best represented in the workplace. We look forward to working with Riverside Theater management to help create first-class entertainment experiences the whole community will enjoy for many years to come.”