TORONTO - Workers who provide technical and staging expertise for events in major venues at Toronto's Exhibition Place have been locked out.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 58 says the lockout comes after months of negotiations for a new collective agreement.
Exhibition Place says it locked the workers out, effective Friday morning, following negotiations that included meetings with the assistance of a provincially appointed mediator.
The union says Exhibition Place had asked it to suspend picketing until after the Canadian Nation Exhibition - which begins in mid-August - closes on Sept. 3, but local president Justin Antheunis says ``that's not going to happen.''
The affected venues include BMO Field, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Coca Cola Coliseum, Enercare Centre and the Liberty Grand, and picket lines went up Friday afternoon.
Exhibition Place says it has a contingency plan in place and remains open for business.
Meantime, fans heading to Saturday's 4 p.m. Toronto Argonauts game at BMO Field are being told to plan ahead.
The team is encouraging game-goers to take public transit to the stadium, or consider parking outside of the Exhibition grounds and then walking the remainder of the way.
Officials with the Argos say everything on their end will operate as usual.
- With files from NEWSTALK1010