VANCOUVER, BC – The BC Labour Relations Board has issued its decision recognizing the Arts and Cultural Workers Union, IATSE Local B778 as the union representing workers at Griffin Art Projects. Discussions between the workers and ACWU IATSE Local B778 began in April after they expressed a desire for union representation, fair wages, health benefits, and to support one another in the workplace. Workers began signing union representation cards and the application for certification was filed with the Labour Relations Board on July 10. Due to the number of cards signed, the Board deemed a vote unnecessary and issued the all-employees certification on July 15, awarding ACWU Local B778 jurisdiction to represent all five workers.
Established in 2015, Griffin Art Projects is a non-profit art residency and gallery located in North Vancouver. Griffin supports artists through a residency program as well as an exhibition program that is open to the public and free to attend.
Workers stated, “We are grateful and thrilled to join IATSE Local B778 and build worker power at Griffin. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Conor Moore and to our fellow arts workers for their guidance and support throughout this process. We look forward to cultivating a secure and sustainable workplace for all present and future workers. We’re proud to stand in solidarity with all workers in arts and culture in the fight to achieve equitable labour conditions!”
Griffin workers first learned about ACWU IATSE B778 after recent organizing successes at other galleries. As the momentum continues to build, workers at other Vancouver galleries who are interested in representation should contact Local B778 President Conor Moore at cmoore@acwu.ca.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Krista Hurdon, IATSE International Representative