Boycott MTS Centre!

MTS Centre signed an agreement with a non-union company after breaking off talks with Local 63. The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) organized a mass picket, in support of a call by the local, at the Juno Awards held last April.

Following this, the Local received an offer to open talks and cancelled its request for a picket. The Centre has since failed to bargain at all. Hence the call for a boycott.

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From the IATSE website: As a Manitoban, you helped pay for the MTS Centre. Don't you feel that the MTS Centre should support the community that supported it?

If so, please consider contacting the people below. Tell them you disagree with True North's decision to use an out-of-province temp firm. Breaking a hundred-year-old Winnipeg tradition is not the way to launch the exciting new arena project.

Premier Gary Doer
ph: 945-3714
email: [email protected]

Mayor Sam Katz
ph: 949-0566
Email:[email protected]

Jim Ludlow
President and CEO, True North
ph: 987-7825
email: [email protected]

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IATSE local 63

What's very disappointing is that IATSE Local 63 was banned from setting up an information table at the recent NDP Provincial Convention in March. Pressure should be put on the Doer NDP Government, as well as on the Mayor and on True North, to support the stage hands.

[ 21 June 2005: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]

This spring, as you know, the Junos were held here in Winnipeg. What a bright moment for the city to celebrate the opening of the new MTS Centre, all of Canada would be watching. The icing on the cake - Neil Young would return, just as he had promised he would if the Junos were ever held here. The Junos and the opening of the MTS were promoted as proof positive of the fresh and dynamic city of Winnipeg.

Unfortunately, for IATSE, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a union of 260 Winnipeg workers, a union with 50 years of service in the old arena that was promised jobs in the new arena, there was nothing fresh for them. The contract was given to a company out of province. Now a company in B.C. makes $5.00 for every hour a Manitoba employee works although Barny Haines, International representative for IATSE, states that Kevin Donnelly, then CEO of the Winnipeg Enterprises which ran the old arena, made representations to the Union that without question they would be at the MTS Centre. Further, Barny Haines says that IATSE agreed to work for exactly the same dollars.

There was minimal coverage of this story in the Free Press, CJOB, CTV and CBC. How is it that this story did not merit more interest?

There is something wrong and deeply troubling about this situation. They call themselves “True North” but there appears to be little in their actions regarding IATSE that merits the respect Canadians have for that phrase.

According to Barny Haines the owners of the MTS Centre signed an agreement with IATSE on the Thursday before the Junos promising to begin talks on the Monday following the Junos. Weeks later Barny says MTS has not returned their calls. It would appear the MTS owners are confident that there will be no consequences. Can free enterprise renege on a signed agreement?

I have heard that there were other employees at the old arena that had no union and that they were also told they would have jobs at the new arena. Where are they now? We only know this story because of IATSE, those without a Union have no voice at all. It has become increasingly popular to bash labor and praise the rights of “free enterprise”. What freedom is there if workers do not have rights?

We value human rights in our society but seldom do we stop to reflect on how and where the battles were fought and won for dignity, respect and something more than just enough to take care of shelter and food.

The people of this city and province have a venerable tradition of labor. The Winnipeg strike of 1919 began a series of strikes all across Canada. The result of these strikes was improved working conditions that laid the foundation for the life we enjoy today. It was a significant event in the 20th century in Canada and in the world.

Let us be true to our tradition of and respect for labor.

Let us mark the 21st century with our support for 260 workers shut out of their jobs. 260 workers who are asking that promises made are promises kept.

Let us practice “enlightened self-interest” and see that dollars earned in this community are better spent to support this community.

I am grateful Neil Young is well; I am grateful that he couldn’t attend the Junos ; and I would really like to know if he is still singing “I’m a Union Man”?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you wish to support IATSE: