In 1968, he followed his father and grandfather in joining the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
[1] In 1975, he was charged with assaulting the reporter Jay Bacchus when he crossed a picket line, for which he was fined $800.
In 1980, he was indicted, along with his father, accused of embezzling union funds, but the charges were dropped.
He set up a Political Action Committee, and persuaded the United Scenic Artists to reaffiliate to the union.
He also introduced the Individual Retirement Plan for union members on the West Coast.