- May 24, 2021
- Certifications/Decertifications
The local applied for certification for a unit consisting of “all state property hands employed by the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Main Stage.” At the time of application, the duties of Main Stage Property Hand were being carried out by only one person. It was found that he was performing the Property Hand duties alone on Main Stage because of a special agreement between M.T.C. and a touring production company. Prior to this agreement, the Property Hand was a member of the house crew at M.T.C. and was covered by an existing collective agreement. The Board dismissed the application, citing two reasons for their decision. First, the board was satisfied that the Property Hand’s involvement was limited to the production of a single play. Given this short period of employment in this role, the Board concluded that he would not have satisfied the Board’s definition of “employee” as set out in the Board’s Rules of Procedure. Secondly, the Board found that other employees of M.T.C. also performed the same duties, both at the Main Stage and in the Rehearsal Hall. Any attempt to confine the unit to the Main Stage would result in unnecessary fragmentation.