TORONTO – The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) ratified a three-year National Commercial Agreement (NCA) by 98.5% on Monday, the union’s first foray into online voting for a national agreement.
The NCA, negotiated between ACTRA and the Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA) and the Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA), is the industry standard collective agreement that governs performers in English-language commercials in Canada.
According to the press release, key elements of the new NCA include: a 6% pay increase (2% increase per year over the three year term); gains for performers working in New Media commercials; a three year agreement (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2017); simplification of the Agreement; new working groups to monitor initiatives intended to increase work opportunities and tackle the complex residual system; and clearer, stronger terms on issues of dignity, respect, health and safety. The new rates, terms and conditions of the NCA come into effect upon Monday’s ratification.
"This result is a huge vote of confidence for ACTRA’s national bargaining team, from performers working in the commercial jurisdiction all across the country,” said ACTRA national president Ferne Downey, in the release. “I am pleased that we have a clear path forward for the next three years.”
“This is a solid agreement of which ACTRA members can be proud,” added Stephen Waddell, ACTRA's chief negotiator and national executive director. “ACTRA’s bargaining team worked hard to improve wages and working conditions for performers while reflecting the realities of the industry, and we succeeded in making real gains.”
ACTRA represents the interests of 22,000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada.
www.actra.ca
