Production workers at the San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) have voted overwhelmingly to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122. The 18-member unit includes wardrobe department staff, stitchers, dressers, audio technicians, spotlight operators, deck crew, stage managers, and assistant stage managers.
Workers began meeting with IATSE Local 122 representatives in December 2025 after reaching out to the union seeking representation. Over the following months, workers built solidarity and support for unionization despite facing resistance from management.
The company conducted an anti-union campaign that included attempts to hold a captive audience meeting, which had to be cancelled when no workers confirmed attendance, along with personal appeals from management to reject the union. Despite these attempts to bust the workers’ union, the group remained united in their commitment to securing representation.
“Building the theatre community has always been a priority for our Local,” said Robert Morales, Business Representative for IATSE Local 122. “By organizing SDMT, we continue to build union density which in return helps us negotiate better contracts for everyone and uplift the industry.”
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