The world stands with ACTRA

Eleanor Noble

“Our sibling union…They’ve been locked out for five months in a TV commercials dispute in Canada while their bosses try to tear up their terms and conditions and we’re going to tell them from London to Canada – enough is enough!” said Paul Fleming, General Secretary of Equity UK, as the crowd cheered and waved their signs. Marie Kelly and I, on behalf of ACTRA’s 28,000 members, cheered back in gratitude for their support.”

I was in London, England, recently for the FIA (International Federation of Actors) Executive Committee Meeting. In between meetings I attended a huge rally at London’s King’s Cross station where Equity U.K.’s General Secretary Paul Flemming spoke in support of British union workers. Prior, he mentioned he’d give ACTRA a shout out during his speech. I expected him to say something along the lines of “ACTRA from Canada is here to support you!” But instead, he gave us much more – sharing our plight with thousands of union workers gathered at the event. He stressed how we must always band together around the world in solidarity and help each other.

I was incredibly moved by the support coming in from all directions.

This was the first in-person meeting since the start of the pandemic. The room was electric, and the most comforting and inspiring thing is the common bond we all share in this industry around the globe.

One of the more dynamic and inspiring moments was led by ACTRA’s National Executive Director and Lead Negotiator, Marie Kelly. Marie delivered an awe-inspiring speech explaining how the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) is attacking and threatening to break our union. She shared the importance and her appreciation of the incredible solidarity ACTRA members have shown in this fight despite their livelihoods being pulled out from under them and how ACTRA encourages non-union workers to join our union so they too can receive fair compensation for their work as well as benefits, protections and a pension. She spoke passionately against anyone who thinks an ACTRA member isn’t worth every penny they earn thanks to the minimum fees we have bargained into our collective agreements for decades. She energized the room and emphasized how much solidarity means when we have our sibling unions from around the world supporting us. “We will not let anyone at any time ever break our union.”

Our sibling unions around the world support ACTRA performers.

Put forward by ACTRA, FIA unanimously passed a resolution calling on performers to always work under a union contract in all of our jurisdictions. As the entertainment screen media continues to expand internationally, we may increasingly be asked to work on productions shooting in part or entirely outside of the jurisdiction of our union. All performers must check with their union before accepting international engagements. Our international solidarity helps ensure producers of the work are signatory to a union agreement in the country where the work is being performed.

In this polarizing world, there is a growing recognition among workers that they need protection. While the nature of work in the new economy may be evolving, workers’ needs remain the same; working people need the collective power unions provide to ensure a quality of life that includes fair wages, a good pension, reasonable work hours and safe working conditions.

ACTRA works tirelessly to provide to its members some of the best union protections in the country. And in return, ACTRA performers deliver quality work. During this struggle, there is no more important or better time for our members to stand in solidarity. In solidarity, nothing can break us. And I would be remiss if I didn’t also extend gratitude to the talent agents who are willing to share in the burden of financial loss by supporting our members by not pressuring them to work non-union. This is what solidarity looks like. With this solidarity, we will continue the legacy of those members before us who fought for fair wages and safe workplaces by strengthening the foundation on which a better union will stand.

At this pivotal moment in our union’s history we must unite in demanding – through tough negotiations – real change and a rebalancing of social and economic priorities. Now, more than ever, our resistance as artists is essential. As a union, we must redouble our efforts to protect the work so ACTRA members can continue to make a dignified living from their craft, now and into the future.

In solidarity, in solidarity, in solidarity!!!

Eleanor Noble
ACTRA National President