The Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., has locked out its maintenance employees in an ongoing labour dispute.
The festival devoted to the works of Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries sent out a news release Wednesday saying the lockout would be effective at 5 p.m.
The 16 employees affected provide maintenance, grounds crew and housekeeping services for festival theatres.
Talks between management and IATSE Local 461 broke down Feb. 23. The collective agreement expired Nov. 30, 2008.
The two sides have agreed on wages and benefits, but the issue of contracting out remains unresolved, the festival said.
The Shaw claims the union has refused to negotiate a deal for another set of employees in production and audience services because the contract for the facilities department is still in dispute.
Employees in the production and audience services department are not locked out. Previews for the 2010 season begin April 1.
