IATSE Communications

TORONTO, ON – Front-of-house workers at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema can now add a new descriptor to themselves: union member.  The workers, which include cinema box office attendants, concessions attendants, and managers on duty (MODs), voted unanimously for representation by IATSE Local B173. The vote had a 92% turnout and was held on March […]

TORONTO, ON – Today, the IATSE was granted an exclusive audience with Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault to discuss ways in which the federal government could best support the entertainment industry and its workers.  The meeting included Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Julie Dabrusin, MP, and representatives from the IATSE International, as well as […]

VANCOUVER, BC – On February 5, the IATSE issued a charter to the newly-formed Arts and Cultural Workers Union (ACWU), IATSE Local B-778.  Charter members of the new Local had already established the Vancouver Artists Labour Union Co-operative (VALU CO-OP), an innovative workers’ co-operative that facilitates fair, flexible, secure, and democratic employment for artists.  All […]

TORONTO, ON – Leadership at the IATSE are standing in support of Team Unite for Canadian Labour Congress President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Executive Vice-President at the upcoming CLC Convention, to be held May 4-8 in Vancouver. Team Unite is a coalition of three dedicated labour activists; the UFCW’s Bea Bruske, CUPE’s Lily Chang, and the IATSE’s […]

VANCOUVER, BC – The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the Art Babbitt Appreciation Society (ABAS) will be providing free legal support to workers from MPC Vancouver who were recently laid off just weeks before Christmas. MPC Vancouver closed its doors permanently on December 11. “When we heard that MPC was closing, our […]

TORONTO, ON – On November 29 the ballot box was opened, showing front-of-house workers at Artscape had voted overwhelmingly for representation by IATSE Local B173. A few ballots have not yet been counted while the employer contests eligibility, though not enough that the outcome would change. The local filed for representation with the Ontario Labour […]

TORONTO, ON – The TIFF Bell Lightbox has been using IATSE labour for many years, with Local 58 representing their Projectionists and Assistant Booth Managers, and IATSE Local B173 representing their Box Office and Front-of-House workers. While the audio work was being done by Local 58 members, it wasn’t done under an agreement and these […]

As a demonstration of mutual solidarity, the Art Babbitt Appreciation Society (ABAS) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have formalized a strategic alliance in efforts to unionize animation workers in Canada. Through this alliance, both groups will continue to jointly develop collaborative strategies to improve working conditions for animation workers across the […]

MONTREAL, QC — Following deliberate and careful consideration of the harmful and potentially unlawful circumstances created by Weasel Works Productions, the IATSE General Executive Board voted unanimously to declare Weasel Works an unfair employer. IATSE members are prohibited from rendering any service for the company until further notice, effective immediately. The move follows multiple instances […]

TORONTO, ON – On June 5, front-of-house workers at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts voted overwhelmingly for representation by IATSE Local B173. The Young Centre is the home of Soulpepper, Toronto’s largest not-for-profit theatre company. FOH workers at Soulpepper began informal discussions with IATSE Local B173 in February. “Front-of-house workers at Soulpepper needed […]