VANCOUVER, BC – Workers at Centre A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art will now have union representation through the Arts and Cultural Workers Union (ACWU), IATSE Local B778. They are the third group of art gallery workers to opt for ACWU IATSE Local B778 representation, joining their colleagues at Gallery Gachet and the Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG).

Founded in 1999, Centre A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art is a non-profit, public art gallery committed to the research, production, presentation and interpretation of contemporary Asian art. It is the only public gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Asian and Asian Diasporic visual art practices.

The Centre A workers began discussions with the union in June, with the desire to use the process of unionization to ensure the gallery is a stable and sustainable workplace for themselves and all future workers. The application for certification was filed with the BC Labour Relations Board on August 3. Card-check certification in the province states that once a minimum of 55% of workers sign union representation cards, the wishes of the majority are clear and a vote is deemed unnecessary. In this case, 100% of the workers signed cards, so on August 9, the BC Labour Board issued the certification.

ACWU IATSE Local B778 President Conor Moore expressed his thanks to law firm Black Gropper for their continued help and support with organizing efforts, adding, “ACWU is incredibly proud to welcome the workers from a third art gallery into the union and we are excited to continue to build worker power amongst workers at art galleries and other arts organizations.”

The Centre A workers stated: “We are proud to be represented by IATSE Local B778 and to stand in solidarity with all workers in the fight to achieve fair labour conditions in arts and culture. We would like to express sincere gratitude to Conor for his unwavering support, as well as our colleagues at Gallery Gachet and CAG who have given us advice and encouragement along the way. We are excited for this next phase in the history of Centre A ahead of its 25th anniversary!”

BC-based arts workers looking for union representation are encouraged to contact Local B778 President Conor Moore at cmoore@acwu.ca or 778-668-3874.