Unionized Canadian entertainment writers voted to authorize a strike this week, following in the footsteps of their peers in the U.S.
The Writers Guild of Canada said yes to the walkout if negotiations break down between the union and the Canadian Media Producers Association. According to the union, over 95% of voting members backed the strike.
The vote doesn’t mean a strike will break out immediately. Both parties must first reach an impasse. The WGC must then inform the Canadian government and wait 15 days before walking out.
Still, the vote could pressure the CMPA, which has been at the bargaining table with the WGC for nearly six months, to make a deal. The WGC said no negotiations are planned for this week, but it expects bargaining to continue soon.
While details of the bargaining sessions have been kept quiet, due to both parties agreeing to avoid the press, the issues are alleged to be similar to those debated during the Writers Guild of America’s contract negotiations last year.
The WGA began its strike in May when talks disintegrated over compensation and artificial intelligence regulations. The writers were soon joined on the picket line by the Screen Actors Guild.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.