Syndicat des techniciennes et techniciens du cinema et de la video du Quebec, representing 2,300 freelance film technicians, and Association des professionnels de la video du Quebec, representing 1,200 technicians working in video, are merging to create a powerful new 3,500-member union operating in both production sectors. Both organizations formally accepted the fusion, in principle, last March.

stcvq director-general Catherine Loumede says the new union will be able to negotiate improved rates and working conditions for the growing number of episodic tv drama productions taped on video and digital video. She says digital video is also a growing choice as the originating format for theatrical feature films. The new union also expects to negotiate with foreign producers who originate on film.

As it stands, personal service contracts for technicians on productions shot on video are largely a hit-and-miss affair, with only a few arbitrary positions under contract.

The merger will require government ratification and may take up to several months to finalize after a new constitution has been adopted. With the new beginning, the union will receive an entirely new name, says Loumede.

stcvq is reviewing its options during a break in collective agreement negotiations with the apftq, the Quebec producers association.

‘We still have some research and analysis to complete before continuing with the apftq,’ says Loumede. The industry is operating under terms of the past collective agreement covering film and tv. It expired late last year. Negotiations with the producers are expected to resume before the end of the year.

‘Some technicians have talked to us about conditions and salaries in Toronto and Vancouver, and they want it to be like that in Quebec,’ says Loumede. ‘We want to take the necessary time to reflect on this, because [we] don’t only conduct negotiations with foreign producers with high-budget productions. We want to take into account the reality of Quebec productions. So we have to find a means of negotiating [good] conditions for our members and at the same time what is realistic for local production. And that is why we’re taking a little extra time to find solutions which will work for everybody.’

Salary mass for stcvq members hit $64 million in 1999, a 5% drop from ’98. Loumede says business in 2000 is in the same range as ’99.

The stcvq is looking to increase overall film and tv production in Quebec, especially in view of its growing membership, 2,300, up from 2,000 a year ago. For the third year, the union is actively promoting its wide-ranging professional development program, and has introduced a series of basic courses designed for newer members. stcvq publishes a quarterly newsletter called L’Amorce and has has hired former actra executive Arden Ryshpan as its new promotions officer. *

-www.stcvq.qc.ca