IATSE

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.

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

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

• Labor union representation
• Entertainment industry workers
• Collective bargaining services
• Stagehand union membership
• Entertainment worker benefits

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MPTF (Motion Picture & Television Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual 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 FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing financial assistance and support services for entertainment industry workers during work stoppages and periods of economic hardship.
• AFL-CIOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation 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-CIOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with Department of Professional Employees AFL-CIO, a federation of unions representing professional and technical workers.
• Behind The Scenes CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization providing assistance to entertainment industry workers in need, partnered to support members during emergencies.
• Union PlusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram 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

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iatse
• Facebookfacebook.com/iatse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/20353269
• Instagraminstagram.com/iatse
• TikToktiktok.com/@iatse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IATSE