Welcome To IATSE Local 796

IATSE Local 796 came into existence in December 2000 as a handful of freelance television technicians tried to find a way to obtain affordable health insurance and retirement benefits. Their search led them to the IATSE (International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees.) IATSE Local 796 has contracts with LDM Worldwide, Mobile TV Group, Fox Sports SW, PCS Productions, Program Productions, and Alliance Productions. IATSE 796 provides a conduit for hundreds of Texas television technicians to obtain health insurance, life insurance, pension plans and other benefits. IATSE contracts also include annual pay raises averaging more than 2.5% annually, workplace protection, and representation for those employees who need it. We encourage all dedicated television professionals who want a say in the policies and practices of the Union to investigate IATSE membership.

IATSE Response to COVID-19

With regards to the COVID-19 virus, the safety and well-being of our members and their families is our number one priority. The International’s Disaster Response Committee is closely following the most up-to-date guidance and information as provided by the Center for Disease Control, The Public Health Agency of Canada, and the World Health Organization, and will continue to relay that information to Local Officers and members. Additionally, we are in constant contact with our health plans and local health care centers to ensure the health and safety of our communities. We are working with employers across all sectors of the Entertainment Industry on policies that will help prevent infections in our workplaces. With the variety of crafts we represent and the unique challenges that come with each in this situation, we are collaborating with our Local Unions to produce and distribute craft-specific workplace guidelines. If members have any specific workplace health safety concerns, please report it via our Safety Info App ( iOS, Play Store), or by talking to your Local Union. In addition to the obvious health concerns posed by the virus itself, fears of the virus are also wreaking havoc on the economy, and specifically the Entertainment Industry. The honest truth is that many IATSE jobs are at risk as more events and projects are cancelled. We are actively investigating all possible courses of action that can help ensure the financial stability of members who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 virus. We are also reviewing all of our contracts for any pertinent provisions (i.e. Force Maejure). We will continue to publish helpful resources and developments about the COVID-19 virus there. In solidarity, IATSE Communications