Join the Local 788 Family!
What You'll Do
Local 788 members manage ticket sales, offer customer service, and perform administrative tasks across multiple venues in the Rochester region including Blue Cross Arena, Kodak Center, ESL Ballpark (Rochester Redwings), CMAC Performing Arts Center, and select City of Rochester-sponsored events (i.e. "Party in the Park" summer concert series).
To work as a Ticket Seller, you must apply for Membership and be accepted into the union by Member vote.
Who You Are
You...
Are looking for a job that can offer a flexible schedule, or that allows you to work around already-established commitments.
Love engaging with people face-to-face and over the phone.
Are able to handle fast-paced, high-volume ticket sales in a busy (sometimes loud) box office.
Comfortable taking control of transactions, leading patrons through the purchase process efficiently...all while maintaining a "Customer First" mindset, brightening every patron’s box office experience.
Are tech-savvy and can learn multiple ticketing systems (don’t worry—we’ll train you).
Are cool under pressure - lost tickets, patrons who are not tech-savvy, etc.
Are confident in cash-handling and managing financial transactions.
Your Schedule
Have existing part-time, per diem, or even a full-time job? No worries!
Members can state what they’d like to work for each day of the month. A schedule is sent out in advance of the upcoming month, allowing you to dictate your availability by the day.
NOTE - Scheduled work hours will vary week to week, at times significantly, based on venues’ daytime hours and event schedules, as well as other union Members’ availability. Depending on the season, your schedule may not have hours typical of a "traditional" part-time job.
All venues carry a similar shift breakdown:
Day Shifts - Generally between 10a-5p (varies by venue) weekdays, plus weekends if there is a weekend event at the venue. Most shifts are between 4 and 6 hours long.
Event Shifts - Nights and weekends are standard. Call times (time due at box office) vary based on event / game times, but generally are between 4:30p-6p. Call times are outlined on each distributed availability form, so you can state whether you're available based on your schedule.
Pay & Financial Commitment
Wages - Currently (2026) $17.50-$18.50/ hour. Varies by negotiated venue contract.
Shift Minimum Pay - Event shifts (vs. day shifts) have "shift minimum pay" where compensation is based on a set minimum number of hours, even if your actual work time ends up being shorter.
Fees: $100 Application Fee due to the International Association after trial period (probationary ~90-day), + $100 on promotion to Journeyman (due to Local).
Quarterly Dues: $68 / quarter (2026) - driven by the International Association.
There will be a $3 increase each year due to the International, per the 2025 Quadrennial gathering.
Quarterly Assessments (Work Tax): 2% of gross earnings across all venues, with a cap of $35 maximum due (2026). Subject to change, with membership vote.
Membership Benefits - Why Join?
Once you're a formal member of the larger IATSE International...
Shift Minimum Pay - Event shifts have "shift minimum pay" where compensation is based on a set minimum number of hours, even if your actual work time ends up being shorter.
Member Assistance Program via the Entertainment Community Fund - Free, confidential services including mental health counseling, financial advising, training resources, and much more. Consider this similar to a corporate "Employee Assistance Program (EAP)" but tailored to the entertainment industry, and the episodic income of live event workers.
UnionPlus™ - Offers union members (current and retired) and their families benefits and discounts across travel, home, healthcare, insurance, and much more.
FREE Training and Resources via the IATSE Training & Trust Fund, including a FREE LinkedIn Learning Subscription - Free subscription to LinkedIn Learning - over 20,000 online training and certification courses (normally $40+/month) across all industries, not just live event-related.
Further information on benefits are available on the Member Resources page.
Path to Membership
Once you fill out the Interest Form, an officer will contact you to schedule time for a phone call so we can learn more about you and answer any questions you may have.
Post-Screen / Presentation to Membership
Once the screening call is complete, your profile will be presented to members either at the next union meeting, or via an electronic vote - whichever is most timely.
Trial Period
If your candidacy is approved by vote (simple majority), you'll enter a trial period of approximately 90 days before formal induction into IATSE membership. During this time, you'll take on shifts at our contract venues as a regular venue employee — you'll be on payroll, but meeting invitations and voting rights come with full Apprentice status.
This period gives everyone involved — you, our Local, and venue box office leadership — the chance to assess whether this work is the right fit. The trial period may be shorter than 90 days; advancement is based on fit and performance, not a fixed timeline. You'll be notified by Local leadership when it's time to move forward.
Entrance as Apprentice
After the trial period, you'll be formally inducted as an Apprentice — the first stage of IATSE membership. You'll complete your application with the International Association, pay the $100 initiation fee, and gain access to meetings, voting rights, and all IA member benefits. Apprentices remain in this status for up to three years, with advancement to Journeyman (full member) possible sooner based on performance.
Still Interested?
Fill out our Interest Form below and tell us more about you...