Prince Albert's E.A. Rawlinson Centre has been among the sites where striking CUPE 882 members assembled. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Strike repercussions

Arts community responds to possible end of union strike

Nov 28, 2023 | 4:53 PM

With news of a ratification vote pending in Prince Albert’s inside workers strike, the local arts community may be breathing the loudest sigh of relief.

Over the course of the nearly 11-week-old strike, three shows at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre (EARC) have been cancelled with performers choosing to side with the striking workers. Roxanne Dicke, general manager of the EARC, told paNOW, they have been engaging artists and audiences throughout the strike.

“We’ve also respected those few shows and artists who, for their own affiliations with unions, felt they could not perform due to the strike. Most of our shows and rental events have gone ahead with wonderful feedback from the artists and organizations,” she said.

Dicke explained it is important to note that these artists and organizations must work and perform for their own livelihood and for the growth of their organization and the artists they represent.

“As such, we have provided excellent service and resources for our artists, patrons, and organizations throughout the strike. The EARC is working on rebooking the few cancelled shows (Tom Cochrane, Bear Grease, and Middle Raged), as they are committed to coming to the Prince Albert Community.”

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The Broadway North Jr. production of Little Mermaid is scheduled to start Friday and on Monday, paNOW was able to confirm through Union spokesperson Cara Stelmaschuk, that the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation shared their support and requested teachers not attend the show if the strike was still going.

“We are, however, hopeful that we can continue to work with the employer on a new tentative agreement. Bargaining on Friday was promising.”

When paNOW reached out to the STF for comment, they also confirmed they have encouraged their members to be respectful of job action in their community and show solidarity to CUPE by not crossing picket lines.

A source close to the production, but who asked to remain anonymous, shared with paNOW they were deeply troubled, given the fact the youth involved in the play have nothing to do with city politics and have been practicing for months.

Dicke, in turn, explained the matinees for the upcoming show are expected to be very well attended, with approximately 3,200 students (to date) attending over six performances.

“The school divisions have made it clear that attending a live musical theatre event in our facility is a valuable educational opportunity for students, and we appreciate that support. Most importantly, the students do too,” Dicke said.

Dicke also added with 82 youth performers onstage representing a myriad of schools, this is a special program that brings youth together across the city, and they are ready to perform for their peers and teachers for these matinees.

Neil Finch, Director of Education for the Sask Rivers School Division, told paNOW as far as he was aware, as many as 3,000 students were still expected to come sit in the audience for the children’s play.

Bullying concerns addressed

While news of the strike possibly ending will give local residents a reason to smile during the holidays, paNOW has over the past week, received a number of messages through social media, alleging bullying.

One person claimed the elderly were being blocked from parking in the lot at the EA Rawlinson, and being forced to walk from the mall parking lot. To this, Stelmaschuk confirmed for two shows they closed the parking lot at the EARC.

“We have not once blocked people from entering the building,” she said, adding people with handicap placards were allowed into the parking lot.

She also explained that on Sunday night, picketers stopped people for two minutes before clearing the way for the parking lot; but added picketers don’t go on the sidewalk in front of the building when there’s a show on.

Another concerned resident questioned why there’s been so much activity at the Rawlinson Centre, but a far less visible presence at Raiders games. Stelmaschuk responded to this by explaining the Rawlinson Centre has scabs working in their facility.

“Arts employees are on strike, so that take is erroneous. I’m on that picket line, so anyone crossing my line isn’t supporting the few arts careers we have in Prince Albert,” Stelmaschuk said.

She also noted there are four Rawlinson employees on strike right now. The sports facilities are mostly staffed by 160 members of the city’s other union who are not on strike. In comparison, the Raiders have the canteen run by volunteers instead of scabs doing union jobs in the concession facilities.

“They were very respectful and reached out before the season began to work with us in this regard. We didn’t picket the Thanksgiving powwow.”

On Monday, the union issued notice, confirming a tentative agreement with the employer, and a ratification vote will take place on Thursday.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell