Professionals Share Their Experiences Joining Together in Union

“I feel like we’re more apt to talk to one another more openly about issues we’re having on productions or reach out to one another for help.”
— Dan Pinto, storyboard artist and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) member
“The union to me represents that [working toward a common goal] because we’re working towards better benefits and representing constituents where our voice matters. Just being part of the process, the decision making process, is why I became an active member. ”
— Eve Ronceros, FAA employee and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) member
“One of the biggest things is that we got [with our union] everybody paid family and medical leave.”
— Emily Miller, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh librarian and United Steelworkers (USW) member
“The union connects us and so we meet more people who are doing the same thing we’re doing.”
— Raz Golden, associate director and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) member
“We, like the workers, we’re the union. And I learned that if we succeeded we’d be able to negotiate as equals with the administration and senior management. ”
— Kate Roche, nurse educator and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) member
“The union is the reason why I’m so close to many of my coworkers.”
— Fiona Pestana, Crooked Media employee and Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) member