(PARK CITY, UTAH) – Workers employed at the Sundance Institute have Gone Union and are now represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9003.

The Sundance Institute is a non-profit organization founded by the late Actor Robert Redford to promote independent Artists and support emerging and aspiring Filmmakers, Directors, Producers, Film Composers, Screenwriters, Playwrights, And Theater Artists.

The Sundance Workers also produce the critically-acclaimed Sundance Film Festival.

The Workers have delivered a petition to Sundance leadership asking management to recognize their Union by Friday (October 31st).

The Workers joined the CWA to empower and protect Staff, who are calling for necessary improvements to support the Institute’s growing scope of work.

In order to fulfill Sundance Institute's mission, Staff concerns need to be prioritized with reasonable timelines and benchmarks set for the organization.

Collectively, the Workers will negotiate for a Union contract that guarantees equitable salary, benefits and working conditions across Departments.

“We are the Staff of the Sundance Institute that are on the ground and working face-to-face with our audiences and Artists,” Event Operations Coordinator Sara Kenrick said. “We are the most valuable voices to this organization's purpose and we have slowly but surely been pushed aside. We are understaffed and underpaid, and our concerns have been overlooked. If Sundance wants to continue being Sundance, they need to welcome us back to the table.”

Redford had recognized the role of Institute Staff in the organization’s core principles: “Protect our people. The Staff of the Institute has been and always will be its greatest asset. It is important that we provide the Team with the support to execute and thrive in their positions. If things get out of balance and Team Members are spread thin, we are not serving any purpose properly. The Institute nurtures and supports Artists - the same should be true with our Team Members.”

CWA Local 9003 President Marisa Remski said: “The Communications Workers of America proudly welcomes the Sundance Institute into our Union Family. We congratulate all the talented individuals whose collective efforts have brought this historic achievement to life. This marks another step forward in strengthening solidarity, ensuring equity and amplifying the voices of creative Professionals across the industry.”

To Read This Organizing Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Sundance Institute Workers Form Union with CWA | Communications Workers of America