(SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA) – Kaman’s Art Shoppes Employees - who create caricatures, letter brush art and body art for guests at the San Diego Zoo, have voted overwhelmingly to join International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122.

Th Union victory marks the first successful organizing win for Kaman’s Art Shoppes, which operates 62 locations across the country.

After a decisive 93% YES vote (27-to-2), the Bargaining Unit will cover 30 Workers across classifications including Body Artists, Caricature Artists, Letter Brush Artists and their respective supervisors.

Organizing began in May 2025 and Workers secured their Union earlier this month, despite an Anti-Union campaign by the employer that included e-mails, one-on-one conversations and a visit from the company’s CEO, who flew in from Ohio to discourage Unionization.

“Everyone deserves a Union, whether it’s a Stagehand, a Rigger or a Body Artist - we all deserve to have a voice on the job,” IATSE Local 122 Business Agent Taylor Resenbeck said.

The Workers are seeking higher pay beyond minimum wage, fairer scheduling and the return of commission, alongside wages. In addition, they also want to end strict timers and quotas that undermine their artistry and access to paid time off, which they currently lack.

IATSE represents more than 170,000 Technicians, Artisans and Craftspersons in the Entertainment Industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Report, Go To: Kaman’s Art Shoppes Employees at San Diego Zoo Win Union with IATSE Local 122 - IATSE