There are eight (8) general requirements for filing a Union Project Agreement (UPA) as noted below:

• The contract must be for work in the entertainment industry, including theatre, opera and dance, themed entertainment, hotel and restaurant venues, trade show, industrials and expositions

• The contract must be with a legitimate business entity that has a Federal Employer Identification Number that appears on all coversheets and benefit reports.

• Pension and welfare contributions are not acceptable on personal checks, cashier's check, or money order. Checks must be business or corporate checks with the name and address of the employer imprinted. The Funds cannot accept any other forms of payment.

• The contract must be submitted on a Union form contract (Cover Sheet), which is available for download.

• The printed Cover Sheet form may not be altered in any way; to do so renders the contract void.

• Riders with additional terms may be attached to the Cover Sheet, so long as they do not contradict any of the terms on the Cover Sheet.

• Two separate checks for the Pension and Welfare funds, in the aggregate amount of 22% of the gross compensation (24% for work commencing on or after January 1, 2028), must be attached to the contract when submitted to the appropriate regional union office based on the employer's location. Ten percent (10%) pension (twelve percent (12%) pension for work commencing on or after January 1, 2028)should be made out to the United Scenic Artists Pension Fund and twelve percent (12%) welfare to the IATSE National Health and Welfare Fund. Contributions are not acceptable on personal checks, and participants may not make contributions on their own behalf even when working for their own company. Employers or members with any questions should contact the appropriate Union Business Representative.

• New Employers must submit a completed Company Data Sheet when filing their first UPA.

No. The Employer must be a legitimate business entity that has a Federal Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) that appears on all Cover Sheets and benefit reports.

No. Pension and Welfare contributions are not acceptable on personal checks, cashier's check or money order. Contributions must be remitted via two separate business or corporate checks with the name and address of the Employer imprinted. The Funds cannot accept any other forms of payment.

• Pension check payable to United Scenic Artists Pension Fund

• Welfare check payable to the IATSE National Benefit Funds

No. Pension and welfare contributions must be made directly to the Funds by the Employer. Designers may not make contributions on their own behalf.

No. The Funds do not accept ACH/wire transfer of Pension and Welfare contributions for UPAs. Contributions must be remitted via two separate business or corporate checks with the name and address of the Employer imprinted. No other forms of payment will be accepted.

Yes. If an Employer has not previously made Pension and Welfare contributions to the IATSE National Benefit Funds, please ensure that they fill out and include the IATSE "Company Data Sheet" available here.

After both the Employer and the Designer have signed, UPAs should be emailed to LiveDesignJob@usa829.org

Pension and Welfare checks should be mailed to the Regional Union office corresponding to the Employer's place of business. The checks (or a report attached to them) must include the name of the production and the Designer(s) and a payment breakdown (if contributions for multiple Designers are covered by one check).

The list of Regional Union offices is below:

• Eastern (covering New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Province of Quebec, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and all other international employers): 37 West 26th St, Flr. 9, New York, NY 10010

• Western (covering Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Province of Alberta, the Province of British Columbia, the Province of Saskatechewan, the Province of Yukon, and the Northwest Territories): 3400 W. Riverside Dr., Suite 605, Burbank, CA 91505

• Central (covering Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, the Province of Manitoba, the Province of Ontario, and the Province of Nunavut): 111 North Wabash, Suite #2107, Chicago, IL  60602

• Mid-Atlantic (covering Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.): 37 West 26th St, Flr. 9, New York, NY 10010 (mail to NYC office address)

• New England (covering Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont): 292 Newbury Street, Box #380, Boston, MA 02115

Some academic institutions have difficulty signing union contracts due to state regulations or other reasons. In such cases, an agreement may be filed through the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA). U/RTA provides services as Employer of Record to academic institutions on behalf of USA 829 members. Contact a Business Representative for details of this program.

More information about UPAs may be found on the Standard Design Agreement and Project Only Agreement pages. You may also email the Live Performance Department at LiveDesignJob@usa829.org.