I hope this finds all safe, healthy and maintaining some sanity!! 

Although there aren’t many new updates I wanted to share some insight and thoughts. 

We are still busy with the film and television advisory panel put together by our Minister of Heritage, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lisa Macleod. Your Business Agent, Jayson Mosek, sits on the Minister's advisory panel which meets weekly to look at ways the Provincial government can assist the industry once we are able to return to work. 

Similar to other jurisdictions, we have been diligently working on safe work protocols for when work does resume in Ontario over the past few weeks. This work is being done by the Section 21 Health and Safety Committee, which struck a subcommittee and a number of working groups consisting of unions/guilds, producers, suppliers, CMPA and US studio reps to look at all aspects of production from performers, transport, food, hair and make-up, locations and post-production to name just a few. The subcommittee is co-chaired by Jayson and the goal is to have these protocols in to the Ministry of Labour for review this coming week. Once endorsed by the Ministry of Labour, we will make these protocols available to the membership. Thank you to the departmental VPs who provided insight and input in the creation of this document on behalf of your respective department. 

Our producers have been calling and letting us know they are intent and hopeful on getting back to work quickly, while only doing so once deemed safe by the Province. At this stage, most of our shows are hoping to resume production later this summer – potentially prepping in July and shooting in August/early September. Some of you on the recurring regular series NABET 700-M UNIFOR does have been able to maintain contact with these same said producers, either through the communication they sent out through email and or even speaking to each other. 

Studio construction is on hold but the delay is allowing Management the time to prepare for the upcoming phases and hit the ground running once they get the official okay to get back at it. They feel that it is only delayed by about a month and they are aiming to be ready for Q4 2020. 

It wasn’t long ago that I took this new seat, so I completely understand how the uncertainty of all this would be cause for your unrest and stress. Different days allow for different emotions. 

These new times are paving the way for what I truly believe will be a bright new future. Most of the technicians I have been talking with are happy to have some time off, forced as it may be they are happy to reconnect with themselves. Take care of the things none of us are usually able to take care of, namely ourselves. Most really want the life to work balance more than ever. With NABET 700-M UNIFOR I strongly suspect our membership will adjust to the new ways a lot easier as we were already closer with life to work balance than our cohorts. When work returns it will require all of us to work together. All Unions, Guilds and our perspective memberships. It will take a village, more than ever. Ensuring your safety and health will enable you to ensure your co-workers. NABET 700-M UNIFOR already is the kinder, more collaborative Union, we will get through this and come out stronger than ever. 

Rest, enjoy the weather, we WILL rebound as an industry. 

NABET 700-M UNIFOR will continue to share any new and current information as we get it. 

Stay safe & healthy. 

In solidarity, 

Peggy Kyriakidou 

President