Concert Touring Crews deserve a better future.
Born from the road, built by those who live it. This movement is for touring crew, by touring crew — in partnership with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
Your voice matters! We’re conducting a survey to help IATSE explore ways to provide healthcare and retirement benefits specifically for touring crew members:
Benefits
IATSE National Benefit Funds (NBF)
The IATSE National Benefits Fund (NBF) provides a range of essential benefits and services that cater to the unique needs of workers.
The NBF offers plans that serve as a safety net that encompasses health, retirement, and financial security. The comprehensive health coverage provides an array of medical services available to the worker and their family.
Benefits FAQ
By joining a participating employer that will allow you to opt-in to receive these benefits.
Money contributed on your behalf for the first tour is available to use and be banked.
Quarterly self-funding is available for health plan participants for up to two years without needing any contributions from a participating employer.
Funds are portable between employers that participate, and travel with the employees.
Additionally, it may be possible to convince non-participating touring employers to offer this option to employees. If you are interested in this process, contact us to get started.
The benefit plans remain the same. Each Tour will be able to decide the amount of contributions funded to participating touring crews.
- All contributions remain with the worker.
- Health contributions roll over and remain banked until a worker qualifies for health benefits.
- Annuity contributions are immediately credited to the worker starting with the first contribution.
- Pension contributions are immediately credited to the worker starting with the first contribution.
- Pension credits are used to determine the workers payout (See SPD for Pension Plan C) Pension Plan Details
Not all workers on a touring crew want or need the benefits being offered by the IATSE. The programs being offered will be available to those crewmembers who are interested.
If you don’t ask to participate, you will not be forced. Information will be available through this website going forward that will allow workers to make the decision to participate on their own time. If you decide this is not something you are interested in, that’s OK.
Membership FAQ
Participating touring crews receiving benefit contributions would gain the opportunity to join the IATSE.
Each Local has their own rules. The IA will assist workers with these issues on a case-by-case basis.
Yes. If you are a member of an IATSE Local that has qualified benefit plans, you can select the contributions go back to your home Local.
Yes. We will encourage Tours and participants to identify when they have represented workers and/or union members on their Tour.
We don’t have numbers — yet. IATSE is exploring options to work with employers around the industry to contribute to a sustainable, multi-employer benefits model.
Usually, employers make contributions to the plan for each employee’s time worked. But nothing in our business is one size fits all, and contributions may vary from employer to employer, but ultimately the goal is that the burden should be taken off individual touring workers. Contact us to learn more.
If you work for an employer that agrees, you will be able to opt-in to receive these benefits.
For Employers: The Concert Touring Professional’s Deal (CTPD) is a new arrangement between employers and IATSE to give your crew access to benefits like health care and retirement, while keeping the flexible freelance system that works for the touring industry.
Payroll: To get specific, once workers opt-in, employees will be payrolled through a subcontractor who has an agreement with the union that allows for benefit contributions to the union’s funds. The subcontractor signs a deal with the act to provide payroll to the participating touring crew. The subcontractor would pay the touring crew’s salary and make contributions to the benefit funds on the workers behalf.
Money contributed on your behalf for the first tour is available to use and be banked. Quarterly self-funding is available for health plan participants for up to two years without needing any contributions from a participating employer. Funds are portable between employers that participate, and travel with the employees.
Additionally, it may be possible to convince non-participating touring employers to offer this option to employees. If you are interested in this process, contact us to get started.
Federal law protects your right to choose. No one can threaten your job—or your coworkers’ jobs—based on your decision.
Participating touring crews receiving benefit contributions would gain the opportunity to join the IATSE. Contact Us.
Not all workers on a touring crew want or need the benefits being offered by the IATSE. The programs being offered by the Union will be available to those crewmembers who are interested.
If you don’t ask to participate, you will not be forced. Information will be available through this website going forward that will allow workers to make the decision to participate with the union and union benefits on their own time. If you decide this is not something you are interested in, that’s OK.
By joining a participating employer that will allow you to opt-in to receive these benefits.
Participating touring crews receiving benefit contributions would gain the opportunity to join the IATSE.
Money contributed on your behalf for the first tour is available to use and be banked. Quarterly self-funding is available for health plan participants for up to two years without needing any contributions from a participating employer. Funds are portable between Employers that participate and travel with the employees.
Rock Labor contributes an agreed amount over and above your wages that is sent in your name to the IATSE National Benefit Fund. The money from Rock Labor and any other contributing Employer is credited to your name to purchase Health Benefits.
The Fund offers different levels of coverage. Most workers participate with Plans C-2 and C-3. The Fund offers a Cadillac plan C-1 and basic Coverage C-4. Health Coverage Cost.
You first become eligible for benefits when your employer makes contributions totaling $150 plus one month’s current premium cost (the “CAPP charge”) for Plan C-2 single coverage $2,829.
What if I do not have enough money contributed to pay for my health coverage? After you become eligible, Employees may self pay to maintain coverage.
What if I already have coverage? if you provide acceptable proof that you have employer- or union-sponsored group medical coverage from employment that meets the minimum value standards of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Capp account money can be used for out of packet medical expenses.
Complete Summery Plan Description can be found: Here
IATSE has been in the live events business since 1893.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union was built by workers like us who moved from job to job, facing unpredictable hours, precarious employment and health care, and low pay.
As 170,000+ workers from all corners of the entertainment industry, IATSE is uniquely positioned and has the industry experience to win major gains on benefits, training, rest, pay and other important issues.
About Us
The Concert Touring Crew Benefits Committee is a grassroots movement of touring workers, created by and for the crew members who make concert tours happen. We are dedicated to building a better future for our colleagues by advocating for benefits and protections in the concert touring industry.
In partnership with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), we strive to establish a framework that provides essential healthcare, retirement security, mental health resources, and ongoing professional training.
Our mission is to unite our voices and improve conditions so every touring crew member can work safely, confidently, and sustainably.
That's your cue: Contact Us
All submissions are strictly confidential. By submitting this form, you agree to our privacy policy. If you prefer to contact us via email, please email ctcbenefits@iatse.net
Resources:
Mental Health and Financial Aid
Behind The Scenes Charity (BTS)
The Behind the Scenes Charity assists entertainment professionals, or their immediate dependent family, in need due to serious illness or injury that may be used for basic living, medical or funeral expenses. They can also assist with the costs of seeing a therapist, or in-patient or out-patient rehabilitation.
Mental Health First Aid is a training course available through BTS. This program gives workers the skills they need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a crisis, and help connect them to the appropriate care. IATSE workers who successfully complete the Mental Health First Aid training are eligible for Certification Reimbursement through the IATSE Training Trust Fund.
Entertainment Community Fund
IATSE partners with the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF), formerly The Actors Fund. This fund provides human services nationally for people who work in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance.
From providing financial assistance during periods of unemployment to offering mental health resources, the fund strives to holistically address the well-being of its beneficiaries.
The ECF’s services relating to health and wellness, career, and even housing help ensure stability, encourage resiliency, and create a safety net for those who shape our country’s Live Event Industry.
Training
Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP)
IATSE is proud to partner with the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP), an industry-wide program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities in specific entertainment technology disciplines.
ETCP certifications are offered in the following areas: Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician, and Portable Power Distribution Technician.
IATSE workers who successfully pass ETCP certification exams may be eligible for Certification Reimbursement through the IATSE Training Trust Fund: https://www.iatsetrainingtrust.org/certification-reimbursement
IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF)
The IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF) is a joint labor-management training fund offering training opportunities for IATSE workers to achieve and maintain the skills, ability, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the ever-changing entertainment and exhibition industries.
The IATSE Training Trust offers a variety of educational resources and training opportunities to the IATSE workforce including No Fee Courses such as rigging proficiency, OSHA 10/General Entertainment Safety training, TTF Safety First! online courses, and free LinkedIn Learning subscriptions; Certification Reimbursement: ETCP, CTS, Mental Health First Aid; Audiovisual Training through the IATSE TTF/AVIXA Partnership; and much more.
Training FAQs
There are thousands of online and in-person courses are offered at no cost. You can access a comprehensive list here.