Directors Guild of Canada BC Issues Strike Notice; Work stoppage in British Columbia could come in three days

Contract negotiations stalled and the Directors Guild of BC Canada issued a 72-hour strike notice, the next and possibly final step before the Guild begins operations in British Columbia. Without last minute payment, work can be suspended on any day.

The last movement took place following the vote on the strike mandate, which was approved by the majority of the members of the Art. Negotiations with AMPTP and the Canadian Association of Media Producers have been ongoing for more than a year.

The strike, if at all, will be the first in the history of DGC BC, although most films and TV programs currently shot in British Columbia will not be affected as they are “Safe Harbor” protected. In 2008, the BC Labor Board enacted Safe Harbor Agreements with industry to ensure job safety during collective bargaining. Most of the work currently being resumed comes from BC. Any production signed and compliant with the terms of the Safe Harbor Agreement is protected from industrial action.

According to Creative BC of the British Columbia Film Commission, more than 30 projects are currently shot there, including films such as parallel forest Y Pink; tv series tGot flash, good doctor, adorable, snowman, Riverdale, Superman and Lois, a million little things Y little sister; and miniseries The Fall of the House of Asher Y Shoguni.

However, the strike will not prevent it from being filmed elsewhere in Canada. In Toronto, which is also the filming location, the directors and their crew are represented on another DGC district council, which has its own separate contracts and does not threaten termination of employment.

Earlier this month, DGC BC members voted for a 92.2% strike mandate if recent negotiations failed to reach a fair deal. The union then asked for a meeting with employers to resolve the matter. The parties met on 25 April. “There has been no progress in reaching an agreement,” the Guild said.

“Yesterday we met with the growers involved in the negotiations,” said Alan Harmon, chair of the BC DGC District Council. “With the full support of the strike mandate, we hoped they would address vital issues for our members. They do not. Their refusal to solve these problems left us no choice but to go on strike.

The Guild said the strike notice meant that “72 hours after the strike notice was sent, any proceeding not covered by the Safe Harbor Agreement could be subject to industrial action.” Progress may not be new safe harbor agreements. Products that have valid Safe Harbor agreements will be protected from any business action.

“We want job stability, but we need an agreement that ensures respect, fairness and security for everyone working with our contract,” said Kendry Upton, executive director of DGC BC. “Let’s take care of this sector. We were always ready to negotiate. Employers need to do their part and work with us to make a fair deal. “

According to the union, the main problems that remain unsolved are:

• Minimum wage gaps: As the minimum wage increases, all wages in low-paying positions must also increase.
• Payment terms for the Covid test.
• Reversal of wage increases before the expiry of the last collective agreement.
• Application to negotiate manufacturers for multiple concessions

According to the union, these problems “mainly affect the lowest paid and most vulnerable positions”.