State Theatre Stagehands & Technicians in Portland Vote to Unionize with IATSE 114

On Tuesday, stagehands and technicians who bring concerts to life at the State Theatre in Portland  won their National Labor Relation Board election to unionize with International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 114. The union now represents 35 stagehands who work for Crobo, LLC, the parent company of State Theatre.

“I look forward to laying a strong foundation with the venue management and ownership to keep what that we love about our jobs for not only ourselves but also all of those who follow us,” said stagehand Jay Law, who works at the State Theatre. "Our goal has always been to find the best way to support each and every stagehand and technician who comes onto our stage, and now we can start down the pathway to make that happen.”

“I couldn't be more proud of everyone involved in this organizing drive,” said State Theatre stagehand Tim Meehan. “It’s been over a year of hard work and perseverance and together we've achieved something that seemed pretty daunting in the early stages. It has reinforced for me how tremendously important unions are in every industry. I believe true power lives in solidarity, and I don't think there is a limit to what can be achieved when you have that. I look forward to our negotiations and cannot wait to make the State Theatre a better place to work not only for its current employees but for all those who step onto that stage in the future.”

IATSE Local 114 represents workers who set up stage shows the State Theatre, Cross Insurance Arena, Merrill Auditorium, Augusta Civic Center, the Snow Pond Center for the Arts and other live events across the State of Maine.