Work conflict: the tone rises between producers and technicians

Some filming could be compromised as the labor dispute on TV and film sets escalates: after the technicians' strike day last Thursday, a dozen producers countered by ceasing to contribute to their group insurance and their coverage. retirement savings plan.

This decision applies only to contracts signed since Friday, but if the situation persists, it could have serious consequences for technicians, makeup artists, hairdressers and other craftsmen.

"They are freelance workers, often very vulnerable, so group insurance is very important," said Gilles Charland, executive director of the Alliance québécoise des technicians de l'image et du son (AQTIS), the union that represents some 6000 people working behind the camera.

By launching a strike day last week, the AQTIS knew that producers would no longer be forced to follow the previous collective agreement, which has been up for a year, but which has continued to be respected until then.

No longer ensuring certain social benefits is not an illegal act, but it is still "immoral", according to the union.

"Ninety per cent of producers' money comes from public funds," said Gilles Charland, who directly called for Quebec's intervention.

The Quebec Association of Media Production (AQPM), which represents 150 producers, defends on its side tooth and nail the decision of some of its members.

"With the strike day coming up, we had seen this problem come. It was therefore proposed to the AQTIS to make a truce so that the collective agreement continues to apply provided that future means of pressure are not exercised. It was immediately rejected, "said Hélène Messier, president and CEO of the AQPM.

Both parties are expected to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday to reach a new agreement. In the meantime, AQTIS is calling on its members not to sign new contracts with producers who have reacted to their strike day, failing which they risk being expelled from the union for two years. Listed on the AQTIS blacklist are some of the most important production companies in Quebec, such as Zone3, Pixcom and Christal Films.

"It is still too early to say if filming will have to be postponed or canceled. We will see in the coming days to what extent the threats of the AQTIS will be followed by their members, "said Hélène Messier, who ensures that it is always possible to make a truce until November 1 if the AQTIS undertakes not to hold a second day of strike.

However, the union does not exclude this possibility for the moment.