Children's Theatre workers ratify first union contract
Unionized public-facing staff for the Children's Theatre Company (CTC), the largest theater for young people in the United States, have unanimously approved their first union contract.
The agreement covers the Minneapolis theater's nearly 50 ushers, ticket takers, concession workers, front-of-house and box office associates, and other positions, all of whom are represented by the IATSE Local 13.
Staff began organizing in February 2023 and had their union voluntarily recognized in January 2024. Just over a year of negotiations followed, during which the theater had multiple leadership changes, including the arrival of Rick Dildine, the first new Artistic Director at the CTC in nearly 30 years.
"While bargaining began slowly, we have appreciated the consistent attention to these negotiations from CTC throughout and since the company underwent a change in both the artistic and managing director roles last summer," an IATSE representative said in a statement.
In the new contract, workers prioritized language protecting diversity and accessibility, agreements that were reached quickly per an announcement from both parties. IATSE members also prioritized health and safety precautions, particularly around repritory illnesses like COVID-19.
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