Workers responsible for the magic behind the scenes and the seamless operation of ticketing at some of Washington D.C.'s most prominent music establishments have taken a momentous step towards collective representation. Following a dedicated campaign, employees at the renowned 9:30 Club, the expansive Anthem, the intimate Atlantis, and the historic Lincoln Theatre have overwhelmingly cast their votes in favor of unionizing, marking a new chapter for labor relations within the city's vibrant live music sector.
Washington D.C. Concert Staff Achieve Union Representation
In an announcement made on January 29, 2026, it was revealed that staff members at four distinguished concert venues in Washington D.C. successfully voted to unionize. This pivotal decision impacts the production teams at the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis, and the Lincoln Theatre, as well as box office personnel. The ballot, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board on January 15 and 21, saw a significant majority of stagehands, audio engineers, and lighting technicians electing to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 22. Concurrently, box office staff unanimously chose representation by IATSE Local 868. This collective action involved approximately 150 workers, culminating from an intent to unionize first declared by over 300 production and service staff in October. While food, beverage, and other service workers, who aimed to organize with UNITED HERE Local 25, secured voluntary recognition in November, the remaining staff pursued the formal election process. All four venues are managed by I.M.P., which had until January 28 to contest the election outcomes. Ryan Chavka, Business Agent for IATSE Local 22, emphasized the significance of this vote for the dignity and voice of these essential workers, highlighting the next step of negotiating a first contract with I.M.P. management. The 9:30 Club, established in 1980, is celebrated for launching numerous iconic bands, while The Anthem, opened in 2017, can host up to 6,000 attendees, underscoring the scale of this unionization effort.
The successful unionization of concert venue workers in Washington D.C. underscores a growing momentum for labor rights within the entertainment industry. It highlights the power of collective action in securing fair treatment and a respected voice for essential employees, from those setting the stage to those managing tickets. This development could inspire similar movements in other cultural sectors, emphasizing that every role, no matter how behind-the-scenes, contributes significantly to the overall experience and deserves equitable recognition and conditions.
