In the United States and Canada they are represented by a union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
Other departments such as camera, sound, electricians, grips, props, art director, set decorator, special effects, hair and make-up, are referred to as crafts.
Crafts service laborers are one of the few crew jobs that can cross jurisdictional lines to assist other department crew members including set dressers, property persons, camera persons, grips, lighting technicians, costumers, make up artists and hair stylists.
Local 724 are the other unionized crew members who can cross jurisdictional lines to assist IATSE carpenters, sheet metal workers, plasterers, and off-production painters.
In addition to snacks and drinks, the craft service department may perform odd jobs including digging holes for camera placement, layout protective materials, and keeping the set clean.