Locked-out stagehands ratify new deal with Exhibition Place board

Stagehands who had been locked out of work at Toronto's Exhibition Place have reached a new collective agreement, ending a months-long labour dispute.

Coun. Mark Grimes, who chairs the Exhibition Place Board of Governors, said members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 58 have ratified a settlement with the board.

The board approved the deal Friday, ending a 17-week lockout that's affected both the Canadian National Exhibition and The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Grimes did not release any details about the deal.

Justin Antheunis, President of IATSE Local 58, said a tense,mediated bargaining session that lasted 21 hours led to the deal, and said many union members were angry with the concessions they were forced to make.

"I don't think either party is happy with how things worked out,"Antheunis said in a news release.

"We may lose some work under the terms of this contract, but we will continue to fight for workers' rights, both under this agreement and across the city."

The union's main issue was the contracting out of work at venues like BMO Field. Grimes previously said the board's goal was to ensure Exhibition Place "remains competitive."