Matthew Loeb Reelected as International President of IATSE

Matthew Loeb has been reelected as international president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) by acclimation during the 70th Quadrennial Convention held in Honolulu. Alongside Loeb, James B. Wood was also reelected as general secretary-treasurer, along with 13 international vice presidents, three trustees, and a delegate to the Canadian Labour Congress.

During the convention, various topics were discussed by IATSE representatives, including U.S.-Canada relations, the implementation of worker-friendly policies at state, national, and international levels, a renewed commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as support for members who may face immigration detention during military-style raids.

Several resolutions were passed at the convention, including advocacy for a federal film and television incentive, support for Canadian members during the U.S.-Canada trade conflict, and the promotion of protections and training to mitigate the effects of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning deployment on entertainment workers. Additionally, there was opposition to discrimination and a call for increased protection for diverse workers in the entertainment industry, as well as advocacy for pro-union federal legislation such as the PRO Act.

Constitutional updates were made to reflect modern, inclusive language and governance, including the introduction of a new membership designation for Visual Effects (VFX) workers. The convention opened with an acknowledgment of Hawaiʻi as an indigenous space, and with 982 elected delegates, it saw the highest participation in the union’s history.

Since President Loeb’s first election in 2008, the union has grown its membership, strengthened workplace protections, and advanced the interests of entertainment workers across North America and Canada. President Loeb expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to continue this work and urged members to unite and prepare for future challenges.

The convention also featured guest speakers such as Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, M.D., Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and leaders from other labor organizations. IATSE, which represents over 170,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspeople in the entertainment industry, remains committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of its members.