TORONTO – Actors’ union ACTRA said on Saturday that it had a tentative agreement to end its two month old strike.
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and the Association des producteurs de films et de télévision du Québec (APFTQ) have reached a tentative agreement on a new Independent Production Agreement (IPA) "that will ensure stability in the Canadian film and television marketplace and enhance employment opportunities for Canadian performers," says the press release.
"Canadian actors are big winners in the deal we reached today," said ACTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator Stephen Waddell. "ACTRA has made important significant economic gains in the areas that are priorities for us: a 10% increase for actors over the next three years including a 1% increase into retirement contributions; and a comprehensive new agreement for productions made for new media and productions converted to new media."
Plus, one of the sticking points was payment for work shown on the web.
"The Internet won’t be free," said the press release. "Residuals will be due to performers on Internet use from first dollar. A ‘reopener’ provision will allow the parties to revisit these terms after the Screen Actors’ Guild has negotiated its next agreement. ACTRA will use this clause to seek further improved internet terms should SAG achieve them.
This collective agreement covers all the terms and conditions of employment with respect to all film and television production in Canada, except for British Columbia which has a separate collective agreement.
