Ian Fritz, Business Agent for IATSE Local 415 in Tucson, Ariz., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed recent organizing victories at the Loft Cinema and Arizona Theatre Company.
The Loft Cinema, an independent movie theater with a rich history dating back to 1965, saw its workers unanimously vote to unionize on June 16, 2023. Fritz explained that job security, scheduling issues and lack of retirement benefits were key concerns for employees. The organizing process began in early 2023, with workers reaching out to various unions before settling on IATSE. Fritz emphasized the enthusiasm of the young workforce and their commitment to unionization as crucial factors in the campaign's success.
Negotiating with non-profit organizations presents unique challenges, according to Fritz. While non-profits often cite financial struggles, Fritz stressed the importance of examining pay equity, the gap between the highest and lowest-paid employees and standardizing overtime provisions. He noted that IATSE's contracts typically include overtime pay for work beyond eight hours a day and after midnight, which is the standard they hope to implement at the Loft Cinema.
Fritz also spoke about IATSE Local 415's victory at the Arizona Theatre Company, where full-time staff in carpentry, lighting, video, sound and props voted unanimously to unionize on May 15, 2023. These back-to-back successes mark significant progress for the Local, which hadn't seen a major organizing win in 20 years. Fritz hopes these victories will inspire other entertainment industry workers in the Tucson area to consider unionization, emphasizing that it only takes a small group of committed individuals to initiate change.
Listen to the full episode for more insights into IATSE's organizing strategies and the changing labor landscape in Arizona's entertainment industry.