Encore Workers Demand Fair Wages and Better Working Conditions

SAN DIEGO, CA — A national movement is taking shape as encore global workers in multiple cities are demanding fair wages, dignity on the job, and an end to Encore’s exploitative labor practices.

Encore Global is a leading provider of audiovisual and event technology services in hotels and convention centers. On February 28, encore workers across the country—including San Diego, Philadelphia, Seattle, Las Vegas, Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Monterey CA—began distributing informational materials and raising awareness about the company’s labor practices.

The campaign sends a clear message: when Encore mistreats workers in one city, their colleagues across the country will respond. Workers are seeking fair wages and respect for the value they bring. This news follows IATSE’s November announcement that Encore AV Workers in Las Vegas Face Union-Busting including mandatory ‘captive audience meetings’.

“Encore’s corporate leadership has consistently played hardball in negotiations, flaunted existing agreements, and tried to bust new unions within its workforce,” said International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) International President Matthew D. Loeb. “It’s not surprising we are now witnessing an emerging movement where Encore workers are standing up for their futures. It’s time this company treats its folks like people, not gear.”

In San Diego, IATSE Local 122 led the charge, hosting a press conference after their contract with Encore Global Expired on February 21, 2025. The press conference featured labor leaders, politicians, and workers, who gathered to bring awareness to the ongoing contract fight. Negotiations were previously stalled as Encore refused to offer fair wages, but the day of action drove Encore back to the table, with further negotiations scheduled. A livestream of the event is available here.

Robert Morales, Business Representative for IATSE Local 122 said, “The employees at Encore are highly skilled professionals—many with college degrees in their craft—who set up the audiovisual, lighting, rigging, and staging necessary to put on world-class conventions and corporate events. Yet Encore continues to pay them below area standards. It’s time for Encore to recognize the value of this workforce.”

Companies that invest in their workers create more successful events, retain skilled professionals, and improve workplace safety. The live events industry is moving towards union partnerships because a stable, skilled workforce creates better events and stronger businesses. For example, Gorham Street Productions Stagehands’ Union was recently voluntarily recognized.

Instead of embracing this reality, workers believe Encore’s practices drive up turnover and increase training costs, cultivating a precarious and inexperienced workforce. This has resulted in workplace accidents, in addition to Encore occasionally being unable to fully service certain events, even losing venues and market share.

“Encore is spending so much time trying to circumvent the union that their core business model is non-functional,” said IATSE International Vice President and Trade Show Department Director Carlos Cota. “They are spending more on union-avoidance than it would cost to negotiate fair contracts. It doesn’t make sense.”

As more workers across the country join this movement, IATSE remains committed to ensuring all Encore employees—union and non-union alike—understand their rights and what’s at stake. For updates on the campaign, visitEncoreUnfair.com.