Workers employed at one of Arizona’s last remaining independent movie theaters - the Loft Cinema in Tucson, have voted - unanimously, to organize with International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 415. The non-profit, community-supported theater in Tucson was launched back in 1972. “I love it there, it really is a Tucson institution,” said Christopher Conley, who works the floor at The Loft selling concessions, taking tickets and cleaning theaters. “We weren’t feeling like we were being heard. And the main thing is that we wanted our voices to be heard. It wasn’t about how loudly we were saying things, but about the impact.” Negotiations for the Workers’ first Union contract are expected to begin in the next few weeks. The Loft Workers are hoping to negotiate for higher overtime pay, increased wages, improved working conditions and better benefits.

For More On This Organizing Labor News Story, Go To: Now showing: Loft Cinema staff vote to unionize, negotiate with board

Photo Courtesy Of The National AFL-CIO.