IATSE
IATSE is a labor union founded in 1893 that represents 170,000+ behind-the-scenes entertainment workers across the U.S. and Canada through 400+ local unions, providing collective bargaining, healthcare/retirement benefits, training, and certification.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1893
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What IATSE does
IATSE — the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees — is a labor union founded in 1893 that represents more than 170,000 behind-the-scenes entertainment workers across the United States and Canada. Its membership spans craftspersons, technicians, and artisans working in film and television production, live theatre, broadcasting, concerts, trade shows, and adjacent entertainment sectors, organized through more than 400 chartered local unions. The union serves as the exclusive bargaining representative for these workers, negotiating wages, working conditions, and benefits with employers including major studios, streamers, broadcasters, theatrical producers, and live-venue operators.
Its core offerings are collective bargaining agreements and a layered benefit ecosystem: the National Benefit Funds (NBF) provide healthcare and retirement coverage; the IATSE Training Trust delivers craft certification and continuing education; and supplementary programs include scholarships and disaster relief. Member support is extended through mutual aid partnerships with organizations such as the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) and the Entertainment Community Fund. Governance operates on a quadrennial convention cycle, with the most recent — the 70th — held in August 2025.
IATSE's revenue model is membership-based. The international body derives operating income primarily from per capita stamps remitted by local unions on behalf of covered members, supplemented by investment income and benefit/administrative fees. As a nonprofit labor organization, IATSE does not pursue profit; surplus is reinvested into organizing, training, benefits, and member services. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and maintains active cross-border operations in Canada, including targeted organizing investment in the Ottawa region, alongside new vertical pushes into video game workers via Game Developers Conference (GDC) participation and first-contract wins at venues such as Young People's Theatre.
IATSE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IATSE
- Legal name
- Alliance Internationale des Employés de Scène, de Théâtre, Techniciens de l'image, Artiste et Métiers connexes des États-Unis, de ses territoires et du Canada
- Website
- https://iatse.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1893
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- IATSE is a labor union founded in 1893 that represents 170,000+ behind-the-scenes entertainment workers across the U.S. and Canada through 400+ local unions, providing collective bargaining, healthcare/retirement benefits, training, and certification.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IATSE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Labor Union Representation
- NAICS
- Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Temporary Help Services (561320)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll) (MPADAFAA)
Keywords
Where IATSE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
IATSE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Member Dues: IATSE generates revenue through per capita stamps and membership dues from its local union affiliates and members. The Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation receives funding from individual contributions and a portion of revenue from per capita stamp sales.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
IATSE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IATSE provides union representation and collective bargaining for 170,000+ behind-the-scenes entertainment workers across live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, trade shows, wardrobe, and animation throughout the US and Canada. The union negotiates labor agreements, administers member benefit programs (healthcare, retirement, scholarships, disaster relief), and advocates for workers through political and legislative action.
Product overview
IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) is a labor union representing 170,000+ behind-the-scenes entertainment workers. The organization provides union representation and collective bargaining for workers in live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, trade shows, wardrobe, and animation across the US and Canada. Member support programs include the National Benefit Funds (NBF) for healthcare and retirement, the Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation Scholarship for members' children, and the Disaster Response Committee for emergency relief. The union also operates the Green Committee for sustainability advocacy, publishes The Official Bulletin, and maintains a Local Union Directory. The organization is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and DPE AFL-CIO.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IATSE Union Representation IATSE provides union representation for behind-the-scenes entertainment workers, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advocating for workers' rights in live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, trade shows, wardrobe, and animation across the US and Canada.
- National Benefit Funds (NBF) Comprehensive healthcare and retirement benefits program for IATSE members, providing medical coverage and pension benefits through the National Benefit Funds.
- Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation Scholarship Ten scholarship awards of $10,000 each ($2,500 per year over four years) for children of IATSE members pursuing college education; the Foundation has assisted 140 students through 2025.
- Disaster Response Committee Emergency financial assistance and disaster relief for IATSE members affected by natural and man-made disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes; provides relief through the Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation.
- Green Committee Environmental sustainability committee formed in 2019 offering education and advocacy for individuals, productions, and locals to promote sustainability in all aspects of the entertainment industry.
- Local Union Directory Directory of IATSE local unions across the US and Canada, providing contact information and resources for members and those seeking to form unions.
Companies that use IATSE
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
IATSE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
IATSE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- MPTF (Motion Picture & Television Fund)coreMutual aid partnership providing emergency financial assistance for IATSE members unable to pay immediate basic living expenses (housing, food, utilities, healthcare) due to ongoing work stoppages in the film and TV industry.
- Entertainment Community FundcorePartnership providing financial assistance and support services for entertainment industry workers during work stoppages and periods of economic hardship.
- AFL-CIOmajorAffiliation with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the largest federation of unions in the United States, providing broader labor movement solidarity and resources.
- DPE AFL-CIOmajorAffiliation with Department of Professional Employees AFL-CIO, a federation of unions representing professional and technical workers.
- Behind The Scenes CharityminorCharitable organization providing assistance to entertainment industry workers in need, partnered to support members during emergencies.
- Union PlusminorProgram providing union members with discounts and benefits including mortgage assistance, credit cards, and other financial services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IATSE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IATSE social profiles
Digital presenceIATSE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IATSE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
IATSE subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
IATSE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IATSE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IATSE
What does IATSE do?
IATSE provides union representation and collective bargaining for 170,000+ behind-the-scenes entertainment workers across live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, trade shows, wardrobe, and animation throughout the US and Canada. The union negotiates labor agreements, administers member benefit programs (healthcare, retirement, scholarships, disaster relief), and advocates for workers through political and legislative action.
Is IATSE a public or private company?
IATSE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IATSE founded?
IATSE was founded in 1893. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is IATSE based?
IATSE is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does IATSE make money?
One revenue line is on record: member Dues.
Does IATSE have an API?
No public API is recorded for IATSE.
What industry is IATSE in?
IATSE's product category is Labor Union Representation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAFAA, Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll). Its NAICS code is 8139 and its SIC code is 8600.