TORONTO – An overwhelming number of Canadian performers have voted in favour of ratifying their new Independent Production Agreement (IPA) governing English-language production in Canada.
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) said that 85.8% of its members voted to accept the new agreement that was reached last month with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM).
The IPA, which covers the engagement of performers in all film, television and digital media production in Canada (except in British Columbia, which operates under a separate collective agreement negotiated by ACTRA’s local, UBCP/ACTRA), will take effect January 1, 2019.
ACTRA added that the new settlement will bring “significant improvements” to the IPA including improved measures on harassment prevention, nudity, and respectful workplace language; a rate increase of 9% over the three-year term of the new deal; an increase to member work opportunities through an addition to the background performer count; two additional use options for ACTRA animation voice performers; and improved safety measures including protection for fatigued performers, which provides alternatives to driving home after work.
“The ratification of this new Agreement demonstrates the strong engagement our Member Performers have in this important Canadian industry,” said ACTRA national president David Sparrow, in the news release. “It was through our dedicated team that we were able to overcome a complex series of issues to negotiate one of the best settlements for Performers in North America.”
“The result of this referendum is a display of the trust ACTRA’s hard-working Members have in their union,” added Stephen Waddell, chief negotiator and national executive director. “As unions around the world are facing employer demands for cutbacks at the bargaining table, our Canadian Performers had faith in us to negotiate a fair settlement on their behalf.”
