Talks between Shaw Festival and Union Break Down

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, February 23, 2010 . . . The Shaw Festival announced today talks between management and IATSE Local 461 regarding the collective agreements for the Facilities, Production and Audience Sales and Services departments has broken down. 

The Union acquired bargaining rights over the Facilities department on July 25, 2008. Collective agreements in both the Audience Sales and Services and Production departments expired on November 30, 2008. 

Numerous negotiation sessions have taken place regarding the Facilities bargaining unit. The Shaw has also made repeated efforts to try and negotiate the renewal of Audience Sales and Services and Production contracts without success.

The parties met with a mediator appointed by the Ministry of Labour on February 18 and reached a tentative agreement on the Facilities contract at approximately 9 pm. At approximately 12:45 am on February 19, that agreement fell apart.

The parties agreed to return to the bargaining table on February 22 to revisit the Facilities contract. Those talks were again unsuccessful. The Shaw remains willing to return to the bargaining table as it continues to prepare to launch its 49^th season with previews beginning April 1.