Bargaining consulting lasted more than year: Unifor
A new collective agreement was ratified on Dec. 18 after NABET 700-M Unifor reached a deal with the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) that includes wage increases, a new women’s representative and stronger language to address workplace harassment.
“Our relationship with Canadian producers has never been stronger,” said Jonathan Ahee, NABET 700-M Unifor president. “We were able to address our mutual concerns at the bargaining table and can now return our focus to ensuring Ontario remains globally competitive so we can continue to build our world class screen-based industry.”
The agreement features wage increases of three per cent in each year of the three-year term, which is the highest yearly wage increase in the local’s history. The bargaining committee negotiated implementation of a women’s representative training program.
Other gains include clearer definitions on harassment in the workplace, comprehensive union involvement in harassment investigations conducted by the employer and clarification regarding training requirements.
Highlights also include a commitment to first-aid training for technicians in carpentry and paint shops and improvements on work-life balance, health and safety and harassment.
As in the previous four rounds of collective bargaining with the CMPA, the bargaining committee consulted with the membership for more than a year prior to negotiations. Through general meetings, departmental meetings, bargaining specific meetings and an online bargaining survey, insightful feedback was received about the gains needed and workers’ shared experiences in film, television and digital media productions.
NABET 700-M UNIFOR represents more than 3,000 technicians in 15 departments of the film, television and digital media production industry in Ontario, including construction, hair, makeup, props, transportation, lighting, sound and set dressing.
