HALIFAX, NS, Apr 19 – The International and IATSE Local 849 have been working for over four years to secure a collective agreement with Egg Films, the largest producer of commercials in Atlantic Canada. The majority of the technicians employed by Egg are members of the union. Local 849 had approached the owners of Egg to voluntarily recognize the union, which would ensure their employees were provided with health and retirement benefits. When the owners refused, the local filed an application for certification with the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board.
After a difficult, costly, and protracted process, Local 849 won each and every decision at the Labour Board and was certified on September 7, 2012. The local and Egg Films commenced bargaining, where again, the union’s focus was to secure benefits for its members. Egg refused to accept the Labour Board’s final decision and filed for Judicial Review. On April 17, 2013, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia dismissed the Judicial Review application of Egg Films and upheld the decisions of the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board, as well as the certification by IATSE Local 849. The International and Local 849 are looking forward to concluding bargaining and working with Egg Films in the future, while finally securing health and retirement benefits for their members.