IATSE Local 122
IATSE Local 122 is a chartered IATSE labor union, founded in 1905, representing entertainment industry stagehands, technicians, and specialists across San Diego, Imperial Counties, and Coachella Valley through collective bargaining, work referral, training, and portable benefits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1905
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What IATSE Local 122 does
IATSE Local 122 is a chartered local union of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), operating since 1905 as a non-profit labor organization representing entertainment industry professionals in San Diego County, Imperial County, and the Coachella Valley in Southern California. The union represents stagehands, wardrobe attendants, makeup artists, designers, audio-visual technicians, riggers, carpenters, electricians, and video/audio specialists working across theater, rock and roll concerts, film and television production, and AV events. Its core function is collective bargaining on behalf of approximately 280 staff supporting a multi-thousand-member base, negotiating wages, benefits, working conditions, and grievance procedures with signatory employers in its jurisdiction.
The union's core products and services include full union membership with collective bargaining representation, a work referral hall that dispatches qualified members to job sites based on availability and seniority (with 3,200 hours required for full membership consideration), and a Pre-Apprentice Program plus the SD-LEAP (San Diego Live Events Apprenticeship Program) as entry pipelines. Supporting services include comprehensive training — ETCP certification preparation (Arena Rigging, Theatre Rigging, Entertainment Electrician, Portable Power Distribution), OSHA 10/30, AVIXA, scaffolding, MEWP, and LinkedIn Learning access — administered at a dedicated Training Center. Portable health, welfare, and retirement benefits are negotiated on behalf of freelance members working across multiple employers. The union also co-leads the San Diego County Film Initiative with SAG-AFTRA, Musicians 325, Building Trades, and the San Diego County Film Commission Foundation, and operates a member portal, an online merchandise store, and active organizing campaigns targeting non-union workplaces.
The business model is funded primarily through recurring membership dues paid by represented workers in exchange for representation, benefits administration, training access, and job dispatch. The union is member-governed — members elect leadership, ratify collective bargaining agreements, and determine internal rules — under the broader IATSE international umbrella. Distribution runs through the regional referral hall, which serves both employers (requesting crew) and members (requesting work), supported by digital channels including the website, blog ("Tales From Back of House"), email newsletter, and Eventbrite registration. There is no external equity, venture capital, or public market funding; growth is financed entirely by dues and internal operations, consistent with the union operating model.
IATSE Local 122 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IATSE Local 122
- Legal name
- I.A.T.S.E. Local 122
- Website
- https://iatse122.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1905
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- IATSE Local 122 is a chartered IATSE labor union, founded in 1905, representing entertainment industry stagehands, technicians, and specialists across San Diego, Imperial Counties, and Coachella Valley through collective bargaining, work referral, training, and portable benefits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IATSE Local 122 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Labor Union Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll) (MPADAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Occupational Health & Safety (EHS) Programs & Training (OSHA-style) (EDAEAKAI)
Keywords
Where IATSE Local 122 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
IATSE Local 122 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Union Membership Dues: IATSE Local 122 generates revenue through membership dues paid by represented workers. Members pay dues in exchange for union representation, collective bargaining, health benefits administration, and retirement plan management.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
IATSE Local 122 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IATSE Local 122 is a chartered labor union local representing entertainment industry professionals—stagehands, wardrobe attendants, makeup artists, designers, audio-visual technicians, riggers, carpenters, electricians, and video/audio specialists—in San Diego County, Imperial County, and the Coachella Valley. The local provides collective bargaining representation, a work referral hall that dispatches members to jobs, negotiated health/welfare and retirement benefits, and education and certification training (ETCP, OSHA, AVIXA). It also operates apprenticeship pathways (Pre-Apprentice Program and SD-LEAP) and supports regional industry development through the San Diego County Film Initiative.
Product overview
IATSE Local 122 is a labor union providing comprehensive services for entertainment industry professionals. The core offering is union membership with collective bargaining representation, work referral services, and negotiated benefits. Supporting programs include the Pre-Apprentice Program and SD-LEAP Apprenticeship for professional development, extensive education and certification training (ETCP, OSHA, scaffolding, AVIXA), and the San Diego County Film Initiative for regional economic development. The union also operates a member portal and merchandise store. These services collectively support stagehands, technicians, and specialists across theater, film, television, and live events in San Diego, Imperial Counties, and Coachella Valley.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IATSE Local 122 Union Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- 27% higher wages for union members compared to non-union counterparts
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IATSE Local 122
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
IATSE Local 122 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
IATSE Local 122 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- San Diego County Film Commission Foundation (SDFCF)coreIATSE Local 122 is part of the San Diego Entertainment Union Coalition (SDEUC) working with SDFCF on the San Diego County Film Initiative. The initiative aims to transform San Diego County into a premier destination for film and television production through a Film Commission, Film Office, and SDVibe Rebate Program offering up to 35% back on qualified local expenditures.
- San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor CouncilcoreAffiliated labor council representing workers in San Diego and Imperial Counties. IATSE Local 122 meetings and events are held at the Labor Council meeting room. The council provides infrastructure and support for union activities.
- Inland Empire Labor CouncilminorRegional labor council representing workers in the Inland Empire area, affiliated with IATSE Local 122.
- IATSE Training Trust FundcoreThe Entertainment and Exhibition Industries Training Trust Fund is a partnership between IATSE and Signatory Employers that facilitates training opportunities for IATSE workers. Local 122 provides access to OSHA certifications, ETCP testing, AVIXA training, LinkedIn Learning, and other professional development through this partnership.
- SAG-AFTRAcoreEntertainment union coalition partner in the San Diego County Film Initiative, working together to promote film and television production in the region.
- Musicians 325coreMusicians union coalition partner in the San Diego County Film Initiative, representing professional musicians in the entertainment industry.
- Building TradescoreBuilding and construction trades union coalition partner in the San Diego County Film Initiative, supporting infrastructure for film production facilities.
- Operation WarmminorGuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. IATSE Local 122 partners with Operation Warm to provide brand-new coats and shoes to under-resourced children in the San Diego community. Every $50 donated provides 1 coat and 1 pair of shoes and socks. Over 95 cents of every dollar goes directly to programs supporting children and families.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IATSE Local 122 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- San Diego County Film Commission: Adjacent regional organization partnering with IATSE Local 122 on the San Diego County Film Initiative; comparable as a regional film economic development body with overlapping stakeholder interests in production growth.
- AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association): Industry association whose AV Technologist certification is delivered to IATSE Local 122 members; comparable as a membership-based organization providing credentialing, training, and industry standards in the AV sector Local 122 serves.
Direct peers
- IATSE Local 33 (Los Angeles): Direct peer as another chartered IATSE local representing stagehands and entertainment technicians in a major Southern California market, providing a directly comparable labor union model, training pipeline, and collective bargaining structure.
- SAG-AFTRA: Peer entertainment industry union and explicit coalition partner of IATSE Local 122 in the San Diego Film Initiative, representing performers with similar dues-funded revenue, collective bargaining, and benefits administration model.
- IATSE Local 16 (San Francisco): Direct peer IATSE local representing stagehands and technicians in the San Francisco Bay Area, sharing an identical charter structure, training program access, and entertainment industry dispatch model.
- Teamsters Local 120: Comparable union local model representing drivers and production support workers; overlapping jurisdictional and entertainment industry footprint in the Upper Midwest with similar dues, dispatch, and contract negotiation mechanics.
- Musicians Local 325 (AFM): Peer entertainment union (American Federation of Musicians local) and SDEUC coalition partner alongside IATSE Local 122, offering analogous membership, dues, and collective bargaining services to professional musicians.
Broad incumbents
- Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA): Broader incumbent labor union organization covering construction and entertainment-related labor with similar dues, apprenticeship, and collective bargaining infrastructure across many locals and trades.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IATSE Local 122 social profiles
Digital presenceIATSE Local 122 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IATSE Local 122 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
IATSE Local 122 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IATSE Local 122 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 Local 122
What does IATSE Local 122 do?
IATSE Local 122 is a chartered labor union local representing entertainment industry professionals—stagehands, wardrobe attendants, makeup artists, designers, audio-visual technicians, riggers, carpenters, electricians, and video/audio specialists—in San Diego County, Imperial County, and the Coachella Valley. The local provides collective bargaining representation, a work referral hall that dispatches members to jobs, negotiated health/welfare and retirement benefits, and education and certification training (ETCP, OSHA, AVIXA). It also operates apprenticeship pathways (Pre-Apprentice Program and SD-LEAP) and supports regional industry development through the San Diego County Film Initiative.
Is IATSE Local 122 a public or private company?
IATSE Local 122 is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IATSE Local 122 founded?
IATSE Local 122 was founded in 1905. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is IATSE Local 122 based?
IATSE Local 122 is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does IATSE Local 122 make money?
One revenue line is on record: union Membership Dues.
Who are IATSE Local 122's main competitors?
Others on record are San Diego County Film Commission and AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association). Direct peers are IATSE Local 33 (Los Angeles), SAG-AFTRA, IATSE Local 16 (San Francisco), Teamsters Local 120 and Musicians Local 325 (AFM). Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does IATSE Local 122 have an API?
No public API is recorded for IATSE Local 122.
What industry is IATSE Local 122 in?
IATSE Local 122's product category is Labor Union Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAFAA, Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll), with a secondary code of EDAEAKAI, Occupational Health & Safety (EHS) Programs & Training (OSHA-style). Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.