Photos courtesy: New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO,

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and The Public Theater have announced a tentative agreement on a union contract covering over one hundred production workers at the acclaimed institution. The agreement includes meaningful wage increases and comprehensive benefits that recognize the essential contributions of the production crew to The Public’s artistic mission and continued success. Following the union members’ vote, over this summer, the final contract is expected to take effect on September 1, 2025.

“I’m proud of this agreement, which makes The Public more sustainable and equitable,” said props artisan Rachel Kenner. “I’m excited for all of the opportunities and protections that the union offers us; this whole process has been very collaborative, and I look forward to forging our new path as unionized workers.”

The agreement marks a historic milestone, as The Public Theater becomes one of the first major nonprofit Off-Broadway institutions to secure an IATSE union agreement covering production staff. Public Theater workers voted to join the union last year, becoming the fifth off Broadway group to unionize. Read more here.

  #ArtsWorkersUnite, #BehindTheScenes, #CreativeLabor, #EquityInTheArts, #FairWages, #HistoricAgreement, #LaborInTheArts, #LaborMilestone, #NYCTheater, #OffBroadway, #OffBroadwayUnion, #ProductionWorkers, #PropsArtisan, #StageCrewUnion, #StagehandsUnite, #TheaterJustice, #TheaterUnion, #TheaterWorkers, #ThePublicTheater, #UnionContract, #UnionStrong, #UnionVictory, #WorkersRights, IATSE, solidarity