On December 6, 1933, a charter was granted by the American Federation of Labor (the A.F. of L.) to organize the Theatrical Attendants Union Local 19102 in San Francisco. This was a mixed local comprising ushers, box office cashiers, ticket takers and wardrobe personnel. This “B” local was soon taken into the I.A.T.S.E. (A “B” local is a special department local, in this instance box office or backstage.)
The San Francisco International Exposition on Treasure Island in 1939 – 1940 provided a great opportunity to recruit new members. The war years 1941 – 1945 also saw a boom in theatrical productions in San Francisco.
Members Inez Hall and Ruth Conley, among others, saw an opportunity to form an independent wardrobe local. This charter was granted February 13, 1945 by the International President Richard Walsh and it listed twenty-two members.
The first general meeting for Local 784 was held March 7, 1945. The first Constitution and By-laws were unanimously approved. The first President of the local was Al Maas who served from 1945 until 1962, and the first Business Agent was Bill Sutherland who served from 1945 until 1974.
The hourly and show rates were set on a yearly basis by vote of the membership and rate cards were then published. These rates applied to all employers. By the 1970’s when Ada Philpot was Business Agent, this system had evolved to negotiated contracts with individual employers that allowed for more specific rates and conditions tailored to each venue. “Outside” rate sheets for non-specific venues are still set by the vote of the membership. Industrial and product demonstration shows have rates and conditions that mirror entertainment industry practice nationwide.
Business Agent Philpot, as well as Business Agents Dorothy Priest in Los Angeles and Fredda Briant in New York, became very powerful and pushed the theatrical wardrobe locals to prominence in the International.
Other important dates in Local 784’s history:
1982 – Health and Welfare Fund established.
1985 – Work fees start being deducted from paychecks by employers.
1986 – Executive Board increased from three Vice Presidents to five.
1986 – Apprentice Board established to improve knowledge and skills.
1986 – Finance/Audit Committee formed to oversee the Local’s investments.
1988 – A video about Local 784 and the apprentice program was produced.
1989 – Union office is relocated from Jones Street to larger quarters in the Orpheum Theatre building.
1989 – Ada Philpot stepped down as Business Agent but remained an organizer and Trustee for the International. Andrea Cooper became Business Agent.
1990 – Anne Polland elected Business Agent.
1990 – Life insurance policy, paid by the Local, made available to the members of Local 784.
1995 – 50th Anniversary of Local 784.
1996 – Al Lorente, longtime Secretary of the Local, retired.
1999 – Ada Philpot passed away.
At the turn of the twenty-first century, Local 784 has over 150 workers on its roster. New venues and contracts have been added and the list, as of 2002, stands at eight negotiated contracts and three outside rate sheets.
In the fall of 2001, Anne Polland passed away unexpectedly, and the Bay Area theatrical community paid homage to her memory and legacy. Mark Saladino, an Assistant Business Agent at the time, was appointed Acting Business Agent, and elected to that office with his term commencing January 2002. Nancy Foreman was appointed interim Business Agent in November 2003 and elected to that office with her term starting in January 2005. However, in early January Sister Foreman resigned and David Besser (the current Call Steward of 3 years) was elected as Business Agent. It is in this capacity that he continues to serve the membership.
2005 – Restructuring of Union Officer positions created the positions of Secretary-Treasurer and Recording Secretary. Designated duties given to Vice Presidents (5) included Committee chairmanship and office support.
Nov. 2006 – Local 784 is awarded jurisdiction for Motion Picture/Television and Commercial work.
Oct. 2007 – Local 784 is included in the national commercial agreement between the IATSE and the AICP (Association of Commercial Producers).
As the Local continues to grow and change it has maintained its reputation of excellence and quality nationwide. Representing wardrobe workers/costumers for plays, musicals, opera, ballet, rock concerts, industrial shows, motion picture and commercials, has created a diverse and challenging past, present and future for Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 784 I.A.T.S.E.
Our Mission Statement
This Local is dedicated to the principles of trade unionism. Its objects are to unite all workers within its jurisdiction for the following purposes:
• To improve wages and hours of work, to increase job security, and to better working conditions.• To assure full employment
• To establish peaceful and harmonious relations between its members and their employers, and to increase the stability of the industry.
• To promote and support democracy and free trade unionism.
• To engage in such other activities that will strengthen the labor movement and extend the process of collective bargaining throughout all trades and industries. This Local strives to accomplish these purposes by organizing the unorganized, educating its membership, securing progressive legislation, and by all other appropriate means within the International.
From Local 784 Constitution Article II Objects, Sections 1 & 2