Mercury Ballroom Stagehands in Louisville, KY Vote Unanimously to Join IATSE Local 17

Thanks to Dustin Reinstedler for sending ups this.

Louisville, KY — A dozen Stagehands at the Louisville, KY-based Mercury Ballroom have voted unanimously to be represented by The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 17, the union announced Thursday. This marks the third crew at a Live Nation venue to unionize in recent months, following successful votes by workers at Denver’s Summit Music Hall and Marquis Theater in June.

Located in the heart of downtown Louisville, The Mercury Ballroom is one of the city’s premier venues. With a capacity of 900, it hosts a diverse range of live music, performances, and events. Local 17 already represents stage workers at other major locations throughout the city including the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Louisville Palace, and the Kentucky International Convention Center. “This win demonstrates IATSE Local 17’s commitment to representing locations of all sizes,” said Local 17 Business Agent Greg Campbell. “The workers who support these types of clubs are the foundation of the live event music industry. From amphitheaters and clubs to opera houses and Broadway, all entertainment workers deserve the voice and protections that a union brings.”

“The crews that run Live Nation’s plethora of venues are increasingly looking to the IATSE for support,” said IATSE International Representative, Dan Little. “They see what a union has brought for their counterparts and want to be brought up to that standard. Several dozen Live Nation locations across the country have already joined in union and there are many more to come.”

“We are honored to welcome these workers into our Alliance and look forward to supporting them as they negotiate a first contract with the Ballroom’s management,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “We represent countless Live Nation stagehands across North America. These crews are increasingly aware that to gain respect and a seat a table, they must organize.”

Stagehands nationwide are coming together to win essential access to healthcare, training, robust safety measures, mental health resources, and avenues for professional growth. If you are interested in joining the movement, head to iatse.net/join to contact an organizer.

# # #

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

For more information please contact:
General: comms@iatse.net
Press: press@iatse.net