TORONTO, ON – On March 31, the Ontario Labour Relations Board certified IATSE Local B-173 as the bargaining agent for all facilities attendants at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The local had filed for certification on March 8, and the unanimous representation vote took place on March 15. Local B-173 already represents front-of-house and box office employees at the venue.

The 5-storey TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre, built as a permanent home for the Toronto International Film Festival, was opened in 2010 and serves as a meeting place for film professionals, educators and film lovers. It features a three-storey public atrium, 5 public cinemas, 2 galleries, 3 learning studios, a centre for students and scholars, a bistro, a restaurant, and a lounge.  

Projectionists for TIFF are represented by IATSE Local 58, making TIFF the employer of almost 100 IATSE members. Negotiations for the facilities attendants are expected to get underway shortly, and these new IATSE Local B-173 members are looking forward to working under their first collective agreement.