Canadian scenic artists/painters at Drayton Entertainment have voted unanimously to join IATSE Local 828, which represents scenic artists and prop builders throughout the Province of Ontario. The decision from the Labor Relations Board of Ontario was issued on October 14, and awards Local 828 jurisdiction for all Drayton Entertainment’s scenic artists/painters “engaged in painting and/or sculpting of theatrical scenery including all preparatory procedures and applications of texture, paint, applied elements or other coatings save and except non-working supervisors and persons above the rank of non-working supervisor.”

Discussions with the scenic painters began in October of 2020 and the application for certification was filed in December of that year. Voting took place from January 5-6, 2021 so the much anticipated decision was well received by the Local and the new members. It covers all six Drayton venues across Southern Ontario as well as their Production Centre, and marks the first time the IATSE has been able to secure representation in any department with this employer. The decision is also significant because it sets a legal precedent in recognizing the inclusion of Heads of Department in the bargaining unit.

Drayton Entertainment has a unique footprint in Ontario, presenting live theatre on seven stages, at six venues, in five communities across the province: the Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge in Cambridge, Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and the Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs.

“It’s a huge decision and a thrilling conclusion to a long year,” said IATSE Local 828 Business Agent Sondra Richter. “Drayton scenic artists can be very proud of the courage they showed in recognizing that they needed representation and in coming to us to ask for it. We are proud to welcome these highly skilled workers into our Local and look forward to negotiating their first agreement with Drayton.”

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The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 150,000 technicians, artisans and craftsperson(s) in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.