Brooklyn Bowl Stagehands Vote to Join IATSE Local 4

Production workers at Brooklyn Bowl's flagship Williamsburg location voted 15-1 to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 4 on July 14. The newly formed bargaining unit covers 24 production workers at the popular Brooklyn venue.

Opened in 2009, Brooklyn Bowl Williamsburg has grown into one of New York City's premier live music destinations, hosting up to 1,000 guests and welcoming notable acts including Les Claypool, The Roots, and Elvis Costello, among many others.

Local 4 planted the seed of unionization with the venue's crew starting in 2022; over time, interest grew steadily, with Local 4's leadership providing support for the campaign.

Once a supermajority of workers had signed authorization cards, Local 4 submitted a letter to the employer requesting voluntary recognition, with a response deadline of May 1. The employer requested an extension to May 15, which was granted, but provided no further response. Local 4 then filed an RC petition with NLRB Region 29, accompanied by the signed authorization cards, and won the subsequent election by an overwhelming margin.

"This victory shows once again that when workers come together to improve their conditions, anything is possible," says IATSE special representative Joseph Juntunen. "Local 4 and the IA stand ready to assist and represent stagehands and workers throughout the entertainment ecosystem to build a stronger future for all."

Crew member Ryan Ramirez says, "Union representation for me means I have support and protection as a working-class person. Working within an organization that earns when I earn rather than being a red line item against profitability."

This win is part of a broader surge in organizing activity across Local 4's jurisdiction.