Bill confirms a deal is a deal
TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Cultural workers and their union representatives from the film, television and digital media sector were at Queen's Park today to support a private member's bill to be introduced by Peter Tabuns, NDP MPP for Toronto Danforth. The bill would ensure that disputes arising out of mature collective agreements can be resolved at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
"When this bill becomes law, producers and unions alike will have a fair and legally-binding dispute resolution mechanism to see them through contract disagreements." Jim Biros, Toronto Musicians' Association
ACTRA Toronto, Directors Guild of Canada-Ontario, Nabet CEP Local 700M and the Toronto Musicians' Association have negotiated collective agreements with employers in the industry for decades.
"Ambiguity about the application of Ontario Labour Law to our industry threatens to make resolution of the occasional dispute difficult, time-consuming and expensive - entirely the wrong message for Ontario to send to risk-averse international producers in a fully globalized industry. We don't want to spend valuable time and money in court debating interpretations of the Labour Relations Act and its application to our unique workplaces. We want to focus on what we do best - producing screen-based entertainment products for the global marketplace." Bill Skolnik, Directors Guild of Canada-Ontario
Ontario's film, television and digital media industries are playing an increasingly critical role in the province's economy. In 2011, the industry enjoyed a 32% increase, representing at least $1.26 billion dollars spent in Ontario.
"A similar bill was introduced by MPP Peter Tabuns in 2010 and it passed second reading, so I have every expectation this bill will be favourably received as well. We need to get this done, and when it is, investors in this growing economic sector will celebrate a substantial improvement in labour stability." Heather Allin, ACTRA Toronto
Image with caption: "From left: Art Hindle, Dave Sparrow, Heather Allin, Peter Tabuns, and Wendy Crewson at ACTRA Toronto Queen's Park reception, Sept. 25, 2012. (Photo Credit: J.P. Moczulski) (CNW Group/ACTRA Toronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121003_C3786_PHOTO_EN_18795.jpg
SOURCE: ACTRA Toronto
Karen Woolridge, Public Relations Officer, ACTRA Toronto
C: 416-937-1437
E: [email protected]
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