United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 Endorses Harris-Walz Ticket
The Local Union’s governing board unanimously adopted a resolution to demonstrate and rally support for the Presidential and
Vice-Presidential Candidates
National — The Local Union Executive Board of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE—the national Local Union and creative community representing the artists, designers, and coordinators working within and across the entertainment industry—has unanimously endorsed Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President of the United States.
Local USA 829 stands alongside IATSE and several other entertainment unions and guilds in announcing support for these candidates. Critically, Vice President Harris leads a platform that emphasizes issues that directly impact the members of Local Union and broader entertainment community, including workers’ rights; arts and culture; access to affordable health care and reproductive rights; LGBTQIA+ rights and protections; equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; gun safety; and voting rights.
In addition, Harris continues to demonstrate her commitment to working people across the nation. As Vice President, she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the American Rescue Plan, providing USA 829 members with pandemic relief they needed; led the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment; engaged IATSE to provide input on executive actions to improve conditions for workers within our industry; and with President Biden re-established the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities.
From the USA 829 Local Union Executive Board: “The very nature of organized labor and, with it, the worthwhile benefits that bolster strong, equitable, and safe workplaces must be protected and preserved. We must ensure that—as a community of artists, designers, and coordinators—we are able to continue to use our collective voice so that we can advocate and keep advancing the working and living conditions for our members, for our industry, and for all workers.
While our Local has historically chosen to remain nonpartisan regarding elections of this nature, our Board recognizes this critical moment in our country and the role we must play to sustain our union, the Labor Movement, and our democracy. Inaction isn’t an option. We proudly stand united behind Harris and Walz, so that the Labor Movement can continue to thrive as a champion for the working class.”
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United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE is the national labor union and creative community of designers, artists, and coordinators working across the entertainment industry. For over 125 years, Local USA 829 has proudly represented and advocated for its members and professionals working in live performance, film, television, and commercials through collective bargaining, action, and solidarity. As the creative backbone of the entertainment industry, Local USA 829’s members tirelessly enhance the stories that captivate audiences. In addition to its mission to establish fair wages for designers, artists, and professionals, the union negotiates and advances health insurance and retirement benefits through employer contributions to pension, health care, 401(k), and annuity. Equally important, however, is Local USA 829’s dedication to bolstering an inclusive, anti-racist entertainment industry, one which provides sustained and significant opportunities for underrepresented artists and workers on and off stage and screen. From coast to coast, Local USA 829 seeks to foster the continuous improvement of the working and living standards for its members as well as elevate and celebrate the many crafts and categories of its membership, which includes Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound, and Projection Designers; Scenic Artists; Computer Artists; Art and Costume Department Coordinators; and Scenic Shop workers.