NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO, Sept. 25 – IATSE Local 461, with the assistance of the International, has been successful in its efforts to certify housekeeping and maintenance employees of the Shaw Festival. There are 17 employees in the bargaining unit. An application for certification was filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board on July 24, and the union won by a margin of 13 to 1 at the July 29 vote. During the negotiation of the collective agreement, the local and the festival agreed to resolve an outstanding issue concerning the composition of the bargaining unit. Local 461 already represents stage, wardrobe, hair and audience services employees at the Festival.

The Shaw Festival opened its doors in 1962 and operates out of three theatres; the 856- seat Festival Theatre, the 327-seat Court House Theatre, and the 328-seat Royal George Theatre. The Festival produces 10 to 12 plays each season, with over 800 performances in the three theatres, to audiences totalling roughly 300,000 people.