Winning the Stage: IATSE Local 22’s Organizing Surge

Labor momentum in D.C.’s entertainment industry isn't just growing—it’s compounding. IATSE Local 22 Vice President Nick Arancibia and Business Agent Ryan Chavka join the show to discuss their third major regional theater victory in six years: Arena Stage. We dive into how a "bombshell" management demand for 60-hour workweeks at Signature Theatre sparked a movement that changed NLRB case law, and why the union is now expanding into iconic rock-and-roll venues like the 9:30 Club. In this episode, we discuss: The Signature Spark: How one disastrous management decision led to a 100% card-signing drive in six weeks. A Shifting Market: Why younger workers are prioritizing "predictable lives" over just higher wages. The Turning Tide: What it means when non-union venue managers start calling the union because they can't keep staff.