Workers at House of Blues Houston Vote to Join IATSE Local 51

HOUSTON, TX – On November 3, workers at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas, voted overwhelmingly to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 51. The election results showed 95% of the 42 employees in favor of union representation.

The group includes workers involved in lighting, sound, video, carpentry, props, stage management, hospitality, freight, and backstage coordination. The House of Blues Houston is a 43,000-square-foot concert venue featuring multiple performance spaces and a maximum capacity of 2,100 guests.

Owned by Live Nation, the venue is part of the House of Blues chain, which operates eleven locations across the United States. By joining IATSE, the Houston team becomes part of a larger wave of Live Nation-operated venues where employees have recently organized, reflecting a nationwide movement of live event professionals seeking fair treatment and respect at work.

Workers contacted Local 51 in August 2025 to start the formal process of union representation. Over the following months, they held regular meetings to explore ways to build a safer, fairer, and more respectful workplace.

“The November 3 election results revealed an overwhelming 95% of votes cast in favor of union representation, uniting a group of 42 employees who work across lighting, sound, video, carpentry, props, stage management, hospitality, freight, and backstage coordination.”

About the Venue

43,000 square feet in size
Multiple performance spaces
Maximum capacity of 2,100 guests
Owned by Live Nation

Union Impact

The unionization fits into a growing trend among Live Nation venues, highlighting the collective efforts of live event workers to improve workplace conditions across the country.

Summary: Houston House of Blues employees overwhelmingly voted to join IATSE Local 51, advancing a nationwide movement of live event workers demanding safer and fairer work environments.

iatse — 2025-11-05