For Immediate Release

November 22, 2010

Film and Television Workers Applaud Private Member’s Bill

Bill would bring Labour Stability to Film and Television Industry

Toronto – Workers in the film, television and new media industry today applauded the introduction of a private member’s bill which will ensure that disputes arising from their collective agreements can be resolved at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The Labour Stability in the Film and Television Industry Act will be introduced today by Peter Tabuns, NDP MPP for Toronto Danforth.

“This legislation, if passed, will send a message of stability and assist us in pursuing work opportunities for all Artists and other cultural workers in Ontario.The proposed legislation codifies the practices we have used for many years. There is no reason it cannot get full support from MPPs from all parties and I look forward to it becoming the law,” said Ron Haney, CEO & Executive Director of the Directors Guild of Canada-Ontario.

ACTRA Toronto, Directors Guild of Canada-Ontario, Nabet CEP local 700 and the Toronto Musicians Association have negotiated collective agreements with Producers for many, many years. These collective agreements establish minimum terms and conditions for workers in the industry.

“We are established unions with established collective bargaining practices. Most of the time everything works fine, but persistent ambiguity about the legal status of the Ontario film and television industry makes it unnecessarily complicated, time consuming and expensive to sort things out when disagreements arise. The result is money that should be spent on film making is wasted on legal maneuvers. This bill would bring an end to that and allow us to get on with what we do best – grow the Ontario film and television industry” said Heather Allin, President of ACTRA Toronto.

Ontario’s film, television and digital media industries are playing an increasingly critical role in the province’s economy. In 2009 the industry generated $900 million in Toronto alone.

“An industry of that size and importance needs whatever stability we can give it and the workers deserve to know their contracts are 100 percent safe” said Jonathon Ahee, President of NABET 700 CEP.

“Peter Tabuns has done the heavy lifting to bring forward a bill that serves the broad interest of the industry. It now falls to the legislature to do the easy part. I urge all MPPs to support this bill for the good of the film, television and new media industry” said Jim Biros, Executive Director of the Toronto Musicians’ Association.

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For additional information, please contact:

Karen Woolridge, Public Relations Officer, ACTRA Toronto

P: 416-642-6710

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