Solidarity Superpower!

Marie Kelly

Standing up for each other side-by-side, this union is strong.

Through sleet, snow and sideways rain, ACTRA members have repeatedly demonstrated that when our union is under attack there is no backing down. Standing up for each other side-by-side, this union is strong. Other unions, politicians and passers-by have joined our boycott pickets and even helped us disrupt a non-union commercial shoot. I could not be prouder of the work ACTRAvists have done to help us end the lockout.

ACTRA members disrupted H&R Block storefronts during the height of tax season.

We upped our game with new tactics. We launched a boycott of union-busting brands, using strategic, geo-targeted, Facebook ads that were seen by more than 400,000 Canadians. Petition software resulted in thousands of letters sent to MPs and the CEOs of advertising agencies and brands that are locking us out, vowing to shop elsewhere until the lockout ends. ACTRA members disrupted H&R Block storefronts during the height of tax season, loudly educating consumers about the unfair treatment of unionized performers.

Members were prepared to do whatever it took to disrupt the non-union Rogers production.

In late May, I joined a group of members who mobilized to disrupt a Sid Lee commercial shoot for Rogers. This was perhaps one of the most militant labour actions in the history of our union and it was a marvel to witness. Members used our boycott posters and hand-held mirrors to block lighting. It was invigorating to watch as our members used horns and whistles to impact the sound recording, sending a clear message to Rogers and its anti-union agency, late into the night. Members were relentless and prepared to do whatever it took to disrupt the non-union production.

Performers picketed outside of a non-union Rogers commercial shoot in Toronto on May 29 where we made lots of noise, ruined a few shots, and demonstrated union solidarity. Left photo by Sharjil Rasool; right photo by Ian Chai

A week later, nearly 100 members booed and chanted “shame” and protested outside the Art Gallery of Ontario as advertising agency execs attended the lavish Marketing Awards show.

On June 6 ACTRA performers (right Samara Smallwood) rallied in front of the Art Gallery of Ontario during the Advertising Marketing awards. Photos: Carol Taverner

When we talked about the lockout a year ago I had forecasted that it would change our union. And it has.

When we talked about the lockout a year ago, I had forecasted it would change our union. And it has. Our members are more engaged than ever and together we will harness that power to leverage it into a victory.

While we fight to end the lockout on many fronts, we also managed to complete a revamped, simplified and modernized National Commercial Agreement (NCA). For more than a year, ACTRA staff worked tirelessly on a comprehensive restructuring to consolidate unnecessarily complex language and streamline the agreement while ensuring the integrity of the language and the rights of performers are maintained. This user-friendly agreement has been sent to ACTRA branches for consultation with their members.

I congratulate the bargaining team for their hard work and dedication and thank all members for your continued solidarity and support.

On June 15, ACTRA members voted 80.29 per cent in favour of ratifying the NCA renewal between ACTRA and the ACA. I congratulate the bargaining team for their hard work and dedication and thank all members for your continued solidarity and support.

The multi-pronged action plan means the industry is finally listening to BIPOC performers.

ACTRA has been very busy over the past several months collecting evidence for our successful arbitration of the hair and makeup grievance, which was held in May. We reached a settlement with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association Québécoise de la Production Médiatique (AQPM) which will bring about systemic change in the industry. We look forward to meaningful progress and will continue to lead the way to help create work environments that are free from harassment and discrimination. The multi-pronged action plan means the industry is finally listening to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) performers.

ACTRA was instrumental in getting Bill C-11 passed to modernize the Broadcasting Act.

ACTRA has also been lobbying the federal government and was instrumental in getting Bill C-11 passed to modernize the Broadcasting Act. Working with other unions in the sector, ACTRA members joined our letter writing campaign to overcome conservative misinformation tactics designed to kill the bill. Legislation passed with the Status of the Artist Act intact. We received messages of thanks from government for our help along with commitments to ensure the policy directives on C-11 will address more of our issues. Working closely with other unions in our sector, we took part in a joint meeting in Ottawa with Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez.

It was a hard-fought negotiation with the goal of the industry to minimize language that gave workers’ rights to collective bargaining, copyright protections, and basic fundamental human rights.

On the international front, I was proud to represent ACTRA at the International Labour Organization (ILO) meeting of our industry in Switzerland this past February. FIA (International Federation of Actors) along with UNI-MEI represented the group of unions from across the globe to be the voice of workers in this tripartite meeting. The goal was to create an ILO policy paper outlining the principals upon which governments, the industry, and workers could agree upon.

My experience at the international level reminds me of how easy it is to have these rights taken away from us.

An industry meeting had not taken place in over a decade and our industry landscape has dramatically changed during that time. It was a hard-fought negotiation with the goal of the industry to minimize language that gives workers’ rights to collective bargaining, copyright protections, and basic fundamental human rights. It was challenging and demoralizing, but fundamentally very important work. We  succeeded in getting language into the policy paper on all three fronts, however my experience at the international level reminds me of how easy it is to have these rights taken away from us and how important it is for us to protect them.

I am keeping a close eye on SAG-AFTRA’s film and television negotiations in Los Angeles. This is an important round of negotiations for our industry, with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence and how to protect the digital likeness, voice and performance simulations of members. During a break from SAG-AFTRA bargaining, I joined the Writers Guild of America picket line at Disney Studios. It was inspiring to see such strong public support for the WGA during their fight for fairness.  

As union members, we are connected by our struggle for workplaces where fairness, equality and human rights thrive.

This year continues to be a banner year for film and television production across Canada. And what a great thing to celebrate during ACTRA’s 80-year anniversary. On an earlier trip to Los Angeles in February, ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble and I had the privilege of catching up with Sarah Polley at the SAG Awards, just two weeks before her big Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar win for the Toronto-shot feature film, Women Talking.

As I look ahead, I know we can’t plan for all that will happen next – but we will move forward by building upon our 80 years of collective strength.  As union members, we are connected by our struggle to create workplaces in which fairness, equality and human rights can thrive. These values were hard fought for 80 years by those who came before us. We must never lose our rights, values and respect. Our goal must be to work closely, in solidarity – to win.

In Solidarity,
Marie Kelly
ACTRA National Executive Director