Theatre Technicians at Michael J. Fox Theatre Unanimously Elect to Join IATSE Local 118Ten theatre technicians at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby, British Columbia, have unanimously voted to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 118. All ten workers signed union cards in support of union representation, and the British Columbia Labour Relations Board officially certified the local as their bargaining agent on March 17. The Michael J. Fox Theatre is a non-profit community theatre in operation since 1993. The 613-seat venue hosts a wide range of events, including theatre, dance, music, and other community productions, serving as a cultural hub for the region. Workers approached IATSE Local 118 in early March to discuss unionizing their workplace. From there, things moved quickly, and the workers secured unanimous support within a week of the first meeting. Assisted by BC's automatic certification ("card check") rules, workers achieved certification at a BC Labour Relations Board hearing. The local now moves forward to bargaining. "The Michael J. Fox Theatre is a beloved community venue that has brought people together since 1993," says Joe Sawan, business agent for IATSE Local 118. "We're excited to represent the theatre technicians who make it all possible, and we look forward to working with them to bargain a strong and progressive collective agreement." The organizing victory at the Michael J. Fox Theatre adds to IATSE's growing representation of arts and cultural workers across British Columbia. "The speed and unanimity of this organizing drive shows how ready these workers were for union representation," says John Lewis, IATSE international vice-president and director of Canadian Affairs. "We're proud to welcome the Michael J. Fox Theatre technicians to IATSE, and we look forward to bargaining a strong first contract that reflects their contributions to this important community venue." 
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