How the Deal Gets Done

Q: Who is involved in this round of IPA negotiations?

A: National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, Marie Kelly, and I, along with an incredibly dedicated bargaining team and staff from branches across the country, will be negotiating with our business partners: the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association Québécoise de la Production Médiatique (AQPM). During IPA negotiations, the CMPA and AQPM work alongside their American counterpart, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), who will also be present throughout the bargaining process.

Q: Why is collective bargaining so important?

A: ACTRA is a union representing 30,000 members strong across this country. Earning a living as an actor can be challenging. We work in a precarious industry. Everything we do as a union strives to improve our working conditions and the lives of ACTRA members.

Collective bargaining is our most valuable tool to make change. It’s the opportunity we have every few years to negotiate new and improved terms and conditions of employment. And it establishes the responsibilities and rights of both parties to ensure safe working conditions, benefits, and fair wages.

Q: What are some of the major changes and challenges facing this round of IPA bargaining?

A: Bargaining always presents challenges. This round, we face new and unprecedented issues including the need to adjust our residuals to reflect the industry’s new business model and to capture residuals for productions made for and streamed on their platforms. This must be addressed especially at a time when Canadians have faced record inflation and the rising cost of living. We will fight for an increase that reflects this reality. And, of course, there is the threat of AI.

Q: How does ACTRA tackle issues surrounding AI during the bargaining process?

A: The threat of AI replacing human creativity is a battle for workers globally. In our industry, the unions and guilds are united on this issue. SAG-AFTRA’s historic strike established boundaries around the use of AI. It is now ACTRA’s turn. Our focus will be on three key issues: consent, compensation, control, as detailed in Marie Kelly’s commentary in this issue of ACTRA Magazine. We are committed to establishing fair industry standards. Make no mistake, we are fighting for our livelihoods. 

Q: How does ACTRA prepare for negotiations?

A: For each round of negotiations, ACTRA branches reach out to members who have worked under the collective agreement to ensure diverse representation (ie: background, stunt, principal performers, etc.) inviting them to participate in surveys and focus groups. These surveys and focus groups help identify specific issues and concerns relevant to our members. In addition to member input, ACTRA also consults with key industry stakeholders, including agents, managers, parents and guardians of child performers. This comprehensive outreach enables the branches and ACTRA National to compile a robust set of proposals that prioritize the most pressing issues.

A bargaining team is then selected though branch councils followed by approval from your national leadership.

The compiled proposals are then put forward to the bargaining team to discuss in depth during the Wages & Working Conditions Meetings (W&W). The team votes to finalize ACTRA’s proposal package, which will be tabled during negotiations. While not all proposals may be prioritized during each round of negotiations, they are documented for future consideration.

Q: Does lobbying the government help ACTRA in negotiations?

A: Yes, both work in a complementary way. While our negotiations will focus on securing enforceable terms at the bargaining table, we constantly lobby for protections at the federal level as well.

Q: What is the responsibility of an ACTRA member during negotiations?

A: As a member, it is important to stay connected, engaged, and supportive of our union during negotiations. The recent, formidable negotiations faced by SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guilde of America (WGA), and the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), offered us a blueprint and we need to stand together in solidarity to let our partners know we will fight for our value and our existence.

On behalf of our bargaining team, we may issue a call to action, so stay connected by reading your emails, following and sharing our posts on social media. Help us by keeping your ACTRA friends and colleagues informed. Our collective strength feeds the power our bargaining team needs for negotiations.

Q: There’s been talk of a possible strike mandate in this round of IPA negotiations. What does that mean?

A: A strike mandate is a very important and effective tool in negotiations. It shows our commitment and readiness to act if needed. It is our opportunity to demonstrate that we mean business. If our bargaining team seeks a strike mandate, we would encourage members to vote “YES” to let the other side know that ACTRA members are willing to stand together to fight for what is right.

Q: Any final advice in advance of negotiations?

A: Solidarity is the key to our success. It’s our strength. I encourage every member to play their part by staying engaged and actively participating when we reach out — whether that’s by attending a rally, voting on a strike mandate, or sharing our posts on social media.

United we bargain. United we win.

Eleanor Noble, National President of ACTRA, is actively committed to creating safe sets across Canada and broadening diversity in all aspects of the screen industry and ensuring each branch feels united under ACTRA.

Pictured above, The Hollywood Reporter named Noble one of Canada’s 2024 Women of Power in Entertainment. Photo: George Pimentel Photography