Shaw Festival workers locked out, others strike | Print |  E-mail
Written by Maggie Cameron   
Friday, 12 March 2010 12:50

Sixteen Shaw Festival maintenance workers have been locked out and are unable to work, as a result of ongoing labour disputes between The Shaw Festival and its union employees represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

thatre
A lockout at Shaw Festival might mean a cancellation of performances. (Courtesy: B. Rosen/Flickr)
According to the Globe and Mail, officials said the lockout only applies to 16 facilities workers, but in response to the lockout employees in the production and audience services have gone on strike.

This first lockout and strike in Shaw Festival history affects 150-plus workers.

George Galanis, business agent for the IATSE told TheDailyPlanet.com on Feb. 5 that a lockout was likely, though it was certainly not a desirable situation. 

He said a lockout would force union employees to cross their own picket lines.

Talks between management and IATSE Local broke down on Feb. 23, reports the Globe and Mail.

This upset comes just three weeks before the Shaw Festival is scheduled to start preview performances.

According to the Toronto Star, Shaw’s public relations director Odette Yazbeck said the impact of the strike is being assessed and it’s too early to predict what will happen.

Whether or not the strike will lead to cancellation of performances is not yet known.