IATSE 3rd 2019_web

National Theatre School, with the IATSE
acting as an annual sponsor. As part of
our sponsorship, the IATSE has a seat on
the festival’s board. The IATSE appointed
Local 129 President Cindy Jennings to
that position. As a sponsor, the IATSE is
afforded an opportunity to give presentations
about the IATSE to the students at
the provincial showcase level. This year,
President Jennings and Representative
Hurdon spoke to students at the Ontario
showcase and Representative Vergnano
addressed students at the Atlantic showcase.
These students, who are already
using their talents for high school productions,
were very receptive to hearing
more on how to forge careers in theatre
and film.
Student Outreach
The Canadian Office continues its
student outreach efforts and has expanded
its success in getting a number
of Locals representing theatrical crafts
to jointly present at various colleges and
universities. In 2019, IATSE hosted the
Reality TV Student Symposium in conjunction
with the Canadian Media Guild.
The International, Locals 667, and 873
provided speakers and The IATSE student
panel, consisting of representatives
from Locals 58, 822, 828, 873, 891 and
mentors. B-173, made its fourth appearance
of the school year at the Ryerson
University Theatre Program. Representative
Hurdon represented the IATSE at
the MM Robinson High School Career
Fair. Local 873 participated in the newly
minted xoTO Schools TDSB Co-op Student
Placement Program which involves
the City of Toronto, the film industry,
and the Toronto District School Board.
Its aim is to enable enhanced access for
location filming in eleven pre-approved
TDSB properties across the Greater Toronto
Area. The program includes a
commitment from the film industry to
create interactive educational opportunities
for TDSB students to participate in
co-op placements within the film sector,
showing students the career potential
that exists in the film industry. In addition,
Local 873 hosted nearly fifty high
school students at their training facility,
taking many on set tours as part of the
learning experience. The program has
been a great success and looks forward to
its possible renewal. Local 891 has also
engaged in student outreach by participating
in thirteen school career fairs and
student talks held at or in conjunction
with the Capilano University, the BCIT
Indigenous Employer Connection, the
Vancouver Digital Entertainment Career
Fair, the Argyle High School – Digital
Media Youth Expo, and the Girl Guides.
The Canadian Office along with Dr.
Wayne Lewchuk also continues to present
“Why Unions Still Matter.” In May 2019,
Dr. Lewchuk presented to Locals 906 and
B906 in Charlottetown, PEI marking the
15th Canadian presentation, apart from
presentations at the Officers Institute.
A number of Locals have contacted the
Canadian Office for additional presentations
that are in the process of being
scheduled. In addition, Local 295 recently
used the IATSE’s Passion & Pay presentation
for film and theatre students at
the University of Regina and Local 856’s
Young Workers’ Committee did Career
Fairs at the University of Manitoba and
the University of Winnipeg.
Canadian Office Building
On June 1, 2019, the Canadian Office’s
long-time tenant, Enerlife, officially
terminated its lease and moved out allowing
for an expansion of available
office space to include the first floor and
ground floors of the building. CEIRP will
be taking over the entire ground floor.
The first floor will now contain a reception
area, copier and mailing station,
kitchen and lunchroom which doubles
as an extra meeting room, along with
a small visitor office. The second floor
will become the “Rep Floor” and house
all four International Representatives
who work out of the Canadian Office.
The third floor will continue to serve as
the International Vice President’s office
along with two additional office cubicles
and the main boardroom. These renovations
are scheduled to be completed by
the end of summer 2019.
Winnipeg General Strike
100th Anniversary
The Winnipeg General Strike of 1919
was one of the most influential strikes in
Canadian history, becoming the platform
for future labour reforms. Massive unemployment
and inflation, dismal wages
and working conditions, and the success
of the Russian Revolution all contributed
to labour unrest at the time. Labour leaders
from across Western Canada met to
form “One Big Union.” This year, we celebrate
its 100th anniversary.
On May 15, 1919, 30,000 workers,
from office workers to fire fighters,
walked off the job for the right to bargain
collectively and the right to a living
wage. Solidarity strikes spread to cities
across the country. The City of Winnipeg
Police Commission dismissed almost
the entire city police force for refusing
to sign a pledge promising to neither
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