The staff at Victory Gardens Theater have begun the process to unionize, The Times has learned. It's the latest move in an ongoing standoff between the storied Chicago institution's employees and board of directors, the latter of whom have drawn criticism for recent decisions regarding its artistic leadership and financial investments.
The group of 16 employees — which includes front-of-house staff, stagehands and arts administrators — filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board last week. They are represented by three IATSE locals: Stagehands Local 2, Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 750, and Wardrobe Local 769.
"Unionization gives us the power of collective bargaining and a stronger support system than we currently have access to as individual, at-will employees," the eight full-time employees collectively tell The Times in a statement. "Unionization guarantees us a seat at the table, as well as leverage to push for worker safety measures that will benefit all employees of Victory Gardens."
