A labour dispute between Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours and Teamsters Local 31 has pushed organizers of Canadian Special Events and Meetings West, an industry trade show, to relocate the November 3 event.
The event’s producer, canadianspecialevents.com, announced this morning that the Teamsters had warned it planned to picket Rocky Mountaineer Station, where the event was to be held.
Event suppliers were reluctant to cross the lines out of fear of jeaopardizing future contracts with union venues, the event’s producer said, so it plans to move the event to CBC’s Vancouver studios.
In a statement, the company commented that moving the venue seven days before the event was a “huge” endeavour.
“The event carries a strong voice and this move by the Teamsters was targeted to carry maximum effect on the venue and its ability to secure future business until this strike is resolved,” said Stacy Wyatt, managing editor and event co-producer for canadianspecialevents.com.
“It’s very unfortunate that we are caught in the middle of – and paying the price for – a dispute we have nothing to do with.”
According to the producer’s statement, Rocky Mountaineer has been in contract negotiations since February with Teamsters Local 31, which represents more than 109 seasonal onboard attendants.
Jenny Wagler
@JennyWagler_BIV