Royal Winnipeg Ballet workers unionize with MGEU

Royal Winnipeg Ballet workers have chosen to unionize, joining the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) as Local 466. The new bargaining unit will encompass a diverse range of employees, including dancers, teaching staff, student boarding staff, and members of various departments such as marketing, development, facilities, security, data services, finance, food services, and administration.

Certain groups, including physiotherapists, RWB School students, and employees represented by other unions, will not be part of Local 466. The move comes after the Manitoba Labour Board approved the application to join the union. Kyle Ross, president of MGEU, expressed excitement about supporting the workers and building a great workplace with them and their employer.

The RWB emphasized its commitment to fostering a positive working environment. This unionization follows other recent efforts in the arts and culture sector, such as ride-service drivers fraudulently insuring their vehicles as personal use, and workers at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre joining IATSE Local 63.