Vancouver: When it comes to the rancorous public conflict between the Union of B.C. Performers and American producers working here, it's unclear whether we have a case of government-sanctioned union busting or bureaucrats being blackmailed by a fickle service industry. Either way, the politicos in Victoria are not seen by many to be handling the David-and-Goliath issue with any skill.

Twice in the past month, b.c.'s Labour Relations Board has ruled against ubcp's right to 1) strike Warner Bros.' Police Academy: The Series and 2) counsel its members to not work for so-far non-union shows like Westbay's feature Wrongfully Accused and nbc's series Sleepwalkers. Essentially, the decisions render the union impotent against u.s. producers who would rather pay lawyers to do battle at the lrb than pay actors benefits and residuals buyouts.

How that will translate into more non-union acting jobs in the future is unknown, but the union is trying to protect its turf by appealing the decision. It is also weighing the option of fining members who actually work on the non-union shows.

The latter point puts Accused star Leslie Nielsen in a particularly interesting position as a member of both saf and actra, the national body with which ubcp is affiliated. Technically, he could be fined the entire amount of his fees for working on the show if it remains non-union.

Scott Swanson, union secretary, expects the shows will eventually sign contracts. He thinks that producers are testing the theory that the performers will not stand up for their rights. The contracts on the table do not maintain the current working and compensation standards, he claims, and producers are refining a negotiating strategy they will eventually take to other jurisdictions.

While Swanson d'es not believe that union-busting is the motive, he says government has been persuaded that the service industry is fickle enough to flee if provoked. And when you consider the valuable employment, promotional leverage, skills development and tax revenue generated by the film industry, it's easy to see how the lrb might succumb to anxiety.

Collective agreements are being signed between other producers and ubcp during the dispute, says Swanson. Producers, he contends, don't want to be labeled "hot" by the union and be the subject of boycotts and other protest actions.

For example, a few hundred outraged actors and supporters (augmented by a couple of hundred politically active Canadian Auto Workers) staged a protest rally Aug. 12 at the Vancouver Public Library. It was widely covered by the local media.

-Wanted: industry builders

On Oct. 10, a reception to celebrate the 10th anniversary of funding agency British Columbia Film and the 20th anniversary of the British Columbia Film Commission will include an awards ceremony honoring 10 industry builders influential in creating today's boffo West Coast business.

The event is meant to recognize the longtime efforts of pioneers, visionaries, innovators and risk-takers in film, television and animation production in b.c. Preproduction, production, post-production, supply-side, financing and mentoring stars are all eligible.