Union representing stagehands, theatre techs employed by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra files historic 72-hour strike notice
IATSE Local 118 files notice for first time in its history, says VSO stage employees have been without a contract since June 2022
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THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 118 has filed a 72-hour strike notice on behalf of workers employed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
IATSE is the union that represents stagehands and theatre technicians across Canada and the United States: riggers, carpenters, sound engineers, lighting technicians, hair and makeup artists, wardrobe and dressing professionals, camera operators, and video techs, among others. Local 118 represents more than 400 such individuals at dozens of live event venues across Vancouver. It is the first time in the local’s 118-year history that it has filed such a notice.
According to IATSE Local 118’s April 11, 2023 media release, VSO stagehands have been without a contract since June 30, 2022. On February 23, 2023, members voted 97.5 percent in favour of job action, with a record-high 92 percent turnout. Following the vote, both parties returned to the table, but, according to the release, the VSO came back with an offer lower than the one it had previously offered in mediation.
The release also states that the VSO reopened discussion on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) clause, which protects wages from falling below the rate of inflation and which has been part of the collective agreement since the 1970s. The union claims that the VSO has argued that the cost of living adjustment owed to its members at the end of the 2021-2022 collective agreement counts as a rate increase for the 2022-2023 year, “which simply isn’t accurate”, the release states.
“We are truly disappointed that it has come to this,” Diana Bartosh, IATSE 118 vice-president, says in the release. “Our relationship with the VSO goes back decades. We made it through the stagflation of the 1970s together, we supported them through the 1980s when they almost went bankrupt, we made it through the 2008 recession and through the COVID-19 pandemic. To see new leadership come in and throw away all that history for a few pennies is really just heartbreaking.”
IATSE 118 has not yet disclosed what job action might be upcoming but has launched a website called Stagehands on Strike calling for public support.
VSO CEO and president Angela Elster provided the following comment on the ongoing negotiations in response to a request from Stir: “VSO Management is disappointed by today’s action taken by IATSE Local 118,” Elster says via email. “We remain ready, willing and able to return to the bargaining table immediately.”
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