A History of IATSE Local 63
January 26, 1899 - A meeting of the stagehands of the Winnipeg Opera Houses [was] called for 3 o'clock. Those present were C. F. Spence, W. During, J. Dixon, H. Scott, A. Hobday, J. E. Braid, E. Dunbar, G. Woods, P. Wilson, A. S. Stewart, and W. Gerard.
Winnipeg's application for a charter was sent to Lee M. Hart, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance on February 13, 1899 and on March 30, 1899 Winnipeg was granted its charter.
Winnipeg was a central and critical rail centre of North America - the "Chicago of the North". Touring acts would hit the "A Circuit" which included Winnipeg. Theatres were constructed and the membership of Local 63 continued to grow. By 1910, membership stood at 57, and with the advent of moving pictures, cinemas began to open and Local 63 accepted their first projectionist member, R. Hazley.
Motion Picture Operators - 1913* |
On July 13, 1913 the Winnipeg projectionists, or as they were known, the motion picture machine operators, were granted a charter by the International - Local 299. Entertainment was flourishing in Winnipeg with vaudeville acts and moving pictures.
With the Great Depression in the 1930's and subsequently World War II, membership in Local 63 was challenged. Coupled with a serious attempt to eliminate vaudeville and the legitimate theatre in favour of motion pictures the membership dwindled from a high of seventy members in 1928 to only seven!
In the late 1950's a brief resurgence of work and membership took place culminating with the opening of the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall in 1967 and the Manitoba Theatre Centre across the street in 1970. The 70's saw the revival of the touring theatrical productions, and membership in Local 63 continued to grow. Members tour with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, as well as industrial shows. Lighting and sound for Broadway shows such as Show Boat and Sunset Boulevard were prepped in Winnipeg, and our members toured the world with the shows.
In January 1997, the members of the Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople (Prairie Region) voted to disband and join IATSE Local 63, 295 (Regina) and 300 (Saskatoon). With the combined skills of these two groups, the film industry in Winnipeg began to grow by leaps and bounds. In July of 1999, the International granted a Motion Picture Studio Production Technicians' charter for the province, and Local 856 was formed. Meanwhile, Local 299, the Winnipeg Projectionists who were chartered in 1913, merged into Local 63. The IATSE continues to grow and evolve in Manitoba.
Pantages Playhouse Theatre |
Local 63 is proud of its history and heritage. We look forward to the challenges of tomorrow, as well as the continued pursuit of organizing and collective bargaining. During the past one hundred years our history and solidarity has illustrated that we can surmount these challenges. With this heritage we will continue to pursue excellence at our crafts and continue to grow.