RavenLaw Congratulates CARFAC/RAAV Members on First Labour Agreement!

On February 23 and 24, 2015, artists across Canada overwhelmingly voted to ratify Canada’s first scale agreement for visual artists at the National Gallery of Canada. As the Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC), explains

Major gains have been advanced for artists through this agreement, which sets out mandatory minimum fees and working conditions offered to artists by the gallery. Artists remain free to negotiate above these minimums, but they can never be offered less.

The agreement between the National Gallery and CARFAC and the Regroupement des artistes visuels du Québec (RAAV) will be in place for three years.

The ability of CARFAC/RAAV to reach this historic agreement is due in large part to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Canadian Artists’ Representation v National Gallery of Canada in June, 2014. CARFAC/RAAV were represented by David Yazbeck, Michael Fisher and Wassim Garzouzi from RavenLaw in this successful appeal to the Supreme Court.