IATSE 891 please add Art Coordinators into the Collective Agreement for the next round of bargaining for 2021 as an official role in the Art Department within the Draftsperson Rate. 

Our job is required on every TV Show, Feature Film and small production in the BC Lower Mainland and it deserves to be recognized as a position in the IATSE 891 Union. We do not want to be a ‘side letter’ in the collective agreement and should be recognized as an official role in the Art Department Classifications. 

Toronto has achieved this by putting the Art Coordinator role into their collective agreement within the same rate structure as a Draftsperson which we believe is fair for a living wage in BC. If Ontario can do this, I believe we can follow suit and make a change for the better in BC.

We are tired of negotiating our deal memos with Production Managers (while receiving NO training on how to negotiate) and oftentimes we are being down-played and low-balled in regards to our wages/capabilities/job duties. This is an extremely unfair procedure we have to go through when we pay union dues and are apart of a union that is supposed to be doing that for us.

What I am asking is for the Art Department Coordinator role to finally be added to our IATSE 891 collective agreement to the same level as the draftsperson rate as this is a vital role on almost every Feature and Episodic show I have ever been a part of. I think it is very fair to put the rate structure the same as the Draftsperson as the coordinator role is a very high stress position with a lot of responsibility to it, a lot of skills required, and it should be valued for what it is.

Please help all the present and future Art Coordinators with this request as we are shocked and appalled to hear that this still hasn't been dealt with over the years by anyone else. We believe it is very unfair to the art department and the art coordinators who support to maintain, create, manage, and aid in the design and look of the entire show from prep to post production.

Please help make a difference not only for current Art Coordinators but also for future ones joining IATSE 891.

Together we are stronger, united we stand. We are union proud and in solidarity we can make a difference together!