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Long-time technical staff and stage workers at Toronto's Exhibition Place were locked out less than a month before the opening of the Canadian National Exhibition – a move that their union calls "a slap". 19659002] The IATSE Local 58 workers' lockout officially kicked off on Friday morning, and workers began picketing Friday afternoon. They say that if they do not get an agreement before the opening of the CNE on August 17, they will force pbaders-by to cross their picket line.
Local President Justin Antheunis says the city is trying to "eliminate" workers "from jobs we've been doing for decades" in an effort to cut costs.
"After all the events that Local 58 has been working on, from Pope to Queen, to Bill and Hillary Clinton, it's a slap on the part of the employer, to say that They are not considered employees there, "said Antheunis.
"They would prefer that someone else do our job."
The union represents skilled workers who also provide staging and technical support services to places such as Air Canada Center, Mbadey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. ] Local 58 employees also work at Exhibition Place for events at BMO Field and annual events such as the recent Honda Indy Toronto.
Justin Antheunis, president of Local 58 of IATSE, accuses the city of trying to push the union and replace its members with non-union work.
Exhibition Place Board of Directors is appointed by Toronto Mayor John Tory, and union representatives would like Tory to be held accountable for what they see as a lack. of progress in the negotiations
could have asked the board of directors to make sure that there was peace of work, but he did not do that, "he said. Antheunis.
"His silence is deafening on this situation."
Chairman of the Show Board, Coun. Mark Grimes, says the lockout is the culmination of eight months of unsuccessful negotiations with the union
"Exhibition Place has seen major changes over the past two decades, but collective agreements have not kept pace with this pace" "We are not competing worldwide, so it is very important that we compete … and that we the best possible rates for our shows, for our stakeholders and our customers. "
How will the lockout affect the CNE?
Antheunis says that he regrets that the CNE was caught in the middle, but although he continues to hope for an agreement before the opening of the fair, he is skeptical for having organized the Event without its members.
If an agreement can not be reached at the opening night of the fair, the union organizers hope that their picket lines will be respected by non-union workers
By weakening the union, they weaken also their position in the city, "said Antheunis.
Workers stranded at Exhibition Place say that they might be confronted with people entering the CNE's grounds if he does not agree before the next day. Opening of the Ex on August 17.
City officials also warned supporters of the Toronto Argonauts not to travel to BMO Field, citing increased travel times due to pickets.
is not reached early in the CNE, Union officials warn that pirates can be greeted by pickets when they enter the park.
"There is no good time for a strike or lockout"
"If we are still stuck, we care about our hearts, and one we worked for decades, then we must be able to convey our message to those who go to the Ex ", said Antheunis
Grimes said no No matter what time of year, a lock- Out at Exhibition Place Will Disturb People
"There is no good time to start a strike or a lockout, but these problems have been going on for years.
" If this n & # 39; 39; is not the CNE, it's the Royal Winter Fair, if it's not the Royal WInter Fair, it's the Boat Show. "
Antheunis says the Local 58 hoping for quick agreement.
"As long as they want non-unionized employees to do the job that Local 58 has been doing for decades, we can not even sit down the table for that. "
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