TORONTO – The U.S. Screen Actors Guild has given its support to the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) in its contract dispute with the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association (CFTPA/APFTQ).
Ontario’s most senior government conciliator was appointed this week to mediate negotiations and the parties are scheduled to meet Nov. 14.
However, the Guild said in a statement Tuesday that “in the event that ACTRA is forced to call a strike, Screen Actors Guild will take all actions legally possible to support striking ACTRA members, including instructing our members to refuse to accept any engagements from struck employers.”
Stephen Waddell, ACTRA’s National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, said “it’s heartening to have such strong support from our sister union in the U.S.”
“Producer demands for pay cuts of 10 to 25%, gutting of performer residuals, and erosion of working conditions are unacceptable. It’s gratifying that SAG members are as outraged with these proposals as we are,” Waddell said in a statement.
ACTRA and the CFTPA/APFTQ began negotiations for a new film and television agreement on October 23. The current agreement expires December 31st.
