Share
Preview
Film workers may shut down studios across the U.S. for better conditions
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
 
September 24, 2021
 

Hey Shift Workers,

American film and television workers, who are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, are preparing for a possible historic strike which could shut down studios across the country. Studios affected would include Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Apple and Amazon. The strike vote begins October 1.

Issues include unsafe and harmful working hours, unlivable wages for lowest paid workers, lack of breaks and rest time between shifts, and lower wages on “new media” streaming projects.

While the strike would not include members of IATSE Canada, Variety reports that, in case of a strike, some U.S. productions may try to move to Canada. However, IATSE Canada has expressed support for the strike, so studios expecting Canadian IATSE workers to scab may be disappointed.

- Emily

 
 
 
 
Spotlight
 
 
How Labour Activists Pushed For Policies That Protect Workers and the Environment This Election
"Trade unions need to be at that table, so do Indigenous and Black communities across Canada to ensure that the transition is just and fair," says Christopher Wilson, Vice President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.
 
 
Why Justin Trudeau's Strategy on Affordable Housing Isn't Working
The Liberals’ gimmicky approach to housing failed to make housing more ‘affordable,’ says Equity & Politics columnist Erica Ifill.
 
 
Top Headlines
 
Inside a bunkhouse shared by eight migrant workers from Mexico on a farm outside Brantford, Ont., in 2019. Photo by Melissa Renwick for The Toronto Star.
 
  • Safety inspection rates in Ontario's industrial workplaces have fallen by 30 percent over the last decade, according to analysis by The Local.



  • September 30 will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal holiday created to fulfill one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. But some provinces refuse to implement it.

  • Toronto Star labour reporter Sara Mojtehedzadeh discusses Amazon warehouse working conditions and the Teamster's union drive on the Tech Won't Save Us podcast.


  • BC's NDP government is asking for feedback on three proposals for its permanent paid sick leave program until October 25. The policy is set to begin January 1, 2022.

  • BC Nurses Union president Christine Sorensen has resigned, citing personal reasons. The resignation comes days after the union opposed mandatory vaccines for health care workers.

  • Check out the Globe & Mail's overview of COVID-19 protocols and vaccine requirements across Canada.

 
New Organizing
 
Janitors at Vancouver International Airport, via SEIU.
 


  • Workers at the Immigration and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba recently unionized with UFCW 832.

 
Picket Shifts
 
Quebec's Colabor food distributor workers are on strike until September 26, 2021.
 

  • Workers at Quebec food distributor Colabor are on a seven day strike which will end Sunday, demanding higher wages.

  • 11,000 Quebec child care workers are on a one day strike today, seeking wage increases and resources for children with special needs.


  • Municipal workers in Grand Falls, Newfoundland have been locked out since July 15.


  • BC hotel workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 40, remain locked out of Pacific Gateway and Hilton Metrotown hotel chains, fighting for extended recall rights.

  • BC construction workers with IBEW 213 have been on strike for two years fighting union-buster Ledcor.

 
 
Before You Go...
 
Graphic via Work in the West podcast.
 

  • Over the past four months, the Work in the West podcast interviewed labour leaders, academics, and journalists across Western Canada about the state of work and employment.  Check out all 30 episodes here.

 
Events
 
 
  • October 8, 2021: Registration deadline for the CUPE National Convention, which will now be held online, November 22 - 26.

 
 
Shift Work Culture
 
Author Omar Mouallem, photo via The Gateway.
 

The Progress Report podcast interviews Edmonton journalist Omar Mouallem about his new book Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas.

The 2021 Canadian Labour International Film Festival lineup and coordinator packages have been released for groups or individuals interested in hosting their own virtual screenings.

 
Shift Work is produced by:

Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign