VANCOUVER, BC – Workers at Anemone Hug Interactive have made history by becoming the first full-service game development studio to form a union in Canada. Utilizing the Labour Relations Board of British Columbia’s new single step certification process, the workers have become the newest members of The Canadian Animation Guild IATSE Local 938.
“For years, game workers in Canada have been working without the benefits and protections of a union collective agreement and without the strength of union representation”, said John Lewis, IATSE International Vice President and Director of Canadian Affairs. “Today, a clear message has been sent to game workers in every province – forming a union is not only possible; it has been done.”
Game workers in Canada face many challenges that need to be addressed. Many are wrongfully excluded from fair and consistent overtime payments during crunch times, face harassment without clear policies to address it, endure unreliable lines of communication, and have a lack of job security, as well as inconsistent – and often low – wages. The IATSE is committed to working with game workers across Canada to address these issues and more.
“The IATSE is the largest entertainment union and our expertise in this sector will ensure that the workers from Anemone Hug Interactive will get the representation they need and deserve,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “These workers have found a home in the IATSE and game workers across Canada should use their success as inspiration to form unions at their own workplaces. By working together, game workers can have more control of their working conditions and can address the issues that have been plaguing this industry for years”
Game workers who are interested in improving their working conditions through collective action are encouraged to contact IATSE International Representative Jeremy Salter at jsalter@iatse.net.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Krista Hurdon, IATSE International Representative
khurdon@iatse.net