IATSE: The Audio Visual Technicians at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino have officially unionized with IATSE Local 720 while ratifying their first collective bargaining agreement on October 8, 2025. The Planet Hollywood AV crew works throughout the hotel, casino, and sportsbook areas. The property, formerly known as The Aladdin, is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment.
2 comments:
Love to see union membership expanding. I wish however that unions like IATSE were easier for new members to join and get work. It's becoming increasingly more gate kept from people looking to get into the industry and it's disappointing that so many older more veteran members refuse to look into hiring new blood because "we aren't good enough" I worked at a small regional theater over the summer in Cincinnati, and as a young student I was constantly lectured on how to approach my job, and it was incredibly unnecessary. At that point I had amassed over 3 years of Sound Engineering and Sound Design experience and it felt almost insulting that one of these engineers felt the need to explain everything to me because he couldn't get it through his head that I was just as capable as he was. I understand that there are people that some times need the training but it almost felt like they were doing it because they were pent up with their ego.
I’m glad casino workers have been accepted into IATSE! I know there is a history of inhumane labor practices in casinos, and they have had trouble organizing. All this despite casinos being a major part of the entertainment industry that requires designers, technicians, and laborers. I’m always an advocate for expanding union membership, and I hope this becomes a trend for casino designers across the country. I’m very disappointed but not suprised that they had absolutely no union contract up until this point, but it seems their new contract is going to represent the workers very well. Reading so many articles each week about union membership has made me grow even more aware how important unions are to making sure artists and technicians can do their jobs and create entertainment that is actually entertaining to audiences, and that how that concept applies to theater, film, television, theme parks, and casinos.
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