Unions and Guilds
Representing B.C.’s performers, below-the-line craftspeople and technicians
There are six unions and guilds representing the motion picture workforce in B.C. The majority of the workers they represent are below-the-line professional craftspeople and technicians, as well as performers and directors. Some roles are represented by multiple unions. Some workers belong to more than one union or guild and are referred to as “dual card” workers, meaning they are members of more than one union or guild.
Producers and their creative teams hire freelance workers who are mostly members of B.C.’s unions and guilds. Most negotiating producers’ representatives in B.C. are members either of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) or the Canadian Media Producers Association BC Producers Branch (CMPA-BC), and therefore are required to hire unionized workers who fall within the of collective bargaining agreements that negotiate their rates and terms of employment. There are some smaller productions that do not fall in this category.
Unions and guilds each represent many departments and roles and play an active role in building B.C.’s motion picture workforce by providing education and training, as well as professional development.
Unions and Guilds
See which union or guild covers which department or discipline
ACFC West, Local 2020 Unifor
The Association of Film Craftspeople (or ACFC) provides crew for smaller budget feature films and Movies of the Week (MOWs) supplying workers skilled in craft and technical, across 23 departments.
Directors Guild of Canada - BC Branch Council | DGC BC
In BC, the DGC-BC covers directors, production managers, location managers, assistant directors and production assistants (PAs)
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 891 | IATSE 891
IATSE Local 891 is the largest motion picture labour union in Canada. At over 9,000 B.C. members and over 5,000 permittees, this union covers the professional artists, technicians and craftspeople across 19 departments. Learn more and match your skills to the deparments by visiting ourwork.ca
International Cinematographers Guild, Local 669 | ICG 669
ICG 669 is the International Cinematographers Guild local 669, serving Western Canada with the full range of camera department positions as well as publicists.
Teamsters Local 155
Teamsters Local 155 provides the drivers, security, and catering services for productions. Animal wranglers and specialty equipment wranglers who handle marine and automotive requirements for the production are also provided by Teamsters.
UBCP/ACTRA
UBCP/ACTRA is the performers union in British Columbia, representing a wide range of performers including principal performers, stunt performers and background performers covering film, TV, animation, voice, videogame and commercial production.
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