Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Vancouver’s Rio Theatre Workers Ratify First Union Agreement, Secure 6% Across-the-Board Raises

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Workers at Vancouver’s historic Rio Theatre overwhelmingly ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with the Arts and Cultural Workers Union, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local B778. More than 93% of workers voted in favor of ratifying the new contract, which covers workers across nine classifications, including: tech/front of house manager, security, office manager, promo trailers, admin, bar manager, tech, supervisor and concessions.

The new contract delivers substantial improvements for workers, including wage increases of at least 6% across the board, with 3% annual raises thereafter; a four-hour minimum call with penalties for late cancellation; health benefits; additional paid leave; and organizational changes designed to promote fairness.

“It’s been inspiring to see the Rio workers organize not just for themselves and their coworkers, but out of genuine love for their work at this historic neighborhood gem,” said Hania Ilahi, vice president of Local B778. “They can now continue their work there with stronger protections and benefits, demonstrating that arts and culture workers everywhere deserve fair working conditions and should not have to sacrifice their well-being simply because of a love for their craft. This is a major win, not just for the Rio workers, but for arts and culture workers everywhere!”