Public Theater Workers Ratify Union Agreement with IATSE Covering Production Staff

Production workers at New York's Public Theater have ratified a wide-ranging union contract covering production staff with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) by a near-unanimous margin of 112-3. The agreement, which took effect September 1, covers more than 250 employees who play a vital role in staging The Public's acclaimed productions.

In a statement, the union says, "The newly ratified contract delivers meaningful wage increases and comprehensive benefits, providing long-term stability and protections for the production workforce. The agreement reflects months of constructive negotiations and establishes a foundation of sustainability at one of New York City's most prominent nonprofit theatres."

This milestone makes The Public Theater one of the first major Off-Broadway institutions to ratify a union agreement with IATSE covering production staff. Others include Atlantic Theater Company and Vineyard Theatre. Off-Broadway commercial productions, including the recently closed Titanique and the still-running Little Shop of Horrors, have also joined IATSE. "The new agreement is a strong step forward for all of us at The Public; it represents the care and hope of the workers and the continued evolution of The Public as a whole," says scenic artist Jacob Caire. "It's exciting to be represented by IATSE under an agreement that will help many receive insurance, begin prepping for retirement, and have a place where we can be proud to work."

Conceived over 60 years ago as one of the nation's first nonprofit theatres, The Public's wide breadth of programming includes an annual season of new work at its landmark home at Astor Place, Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, the Mobile Unit touring throughout New York City's five boroughs, Public Lab, Public Works, Public Shakespeare Initiative, and Joe's Pub.

Since premiering HAIR in 1967, The Public continues to create the canon of American Theater and is currently represented on Broadway by the Tony Award-winning musicals Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hell's Kitchen by Alicia Keys and Kristoffer Diaz. The Public has received 64 Tony Awards, 195 Obie Awards, 62 Drama Desk Awards, 64 Lortel Awards, 36 Outer Critic Circle Awards, 13 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, 70 AUDELCO Awards, six Antonyo Awards, and six Pulitzer Prizes.

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