BY AIDEN BALL AND GREG MILLAR
COQUITLAM, British Columbia - More than 200 people rallied
here February 27 at a picket line organized in support of
projectionists locked out by Famous Players and Cineplex
Odeon. The projectionists, members of International Alliance
of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 348, refused to
take a 60 percent cut in wages over three years as well as
other concessions. The fight has become a focus of broad
solidarity. There are 64 projectionists locked out across
British Columbia. Rallies are held at many of the theaters,
especially on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, the busiest movie
nights. Projectionist Greg Larson remarked, "These rallies
recharge your batteries, you feel like you can do this another
couple of weeks."
The February 27 Coquitlam rally was one of the largest so far. It was very upbeat, with a live band and a broad range of supporters, including members of the Teamsters, International Association of Machinists (IAM), United Food and Commercial Workers, United Steelworkers of America, the B.C. Government Employees Union, and others. The picket line rally was effective in turning back many potential moviegoers.
A contingent of 23 workers from IAM Local 11 at Avcorp, which produces airplane parts in Delta B.C., were there. Workers at Avcorp have been organizing weekly Tuesday night teams to boost projectionist's pickets. Serge Proulx, a young worker from Avcorp, said at first there were six or seven people on these teams and that the 23 that came out on Saturday is a sign "that people are beginning to open their minds." Serge added that the most important thing "is the unity of all workers coming out of this fight."
Reaching out to young people has been a major part of the projectionist's strategy as many of those crossing the pickets to watch a film have been youth. Damon Faulkner, president of the projectionist's union, has spoken at both Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.
Also present at the rally were members of the Kurdish community fighting against the Turkish government's abduction of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. Jawit Atmani, spokesperson for the Kurdish Canadian Information Center, expressed solidarity with the projectionists and received warm support at the rally for his people's struggle.
Support for the projectionists is growing. In Prince Rupert, a town in northern B.C., the community managed to shut down the local theater since early in the strike and they have continued to hold solidarity rallies regularly. Other rallies have taken place in Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna, and elsewhere.
Gustavo Herrarte is a YS member at ISU. Aiden Ball is a YS member at Simon Fraser University. Greg Millar is a student at Centennial School in Coquitlam, B.C.