When negotiations of their IPA agreement (which covers the terms and conditions of work for professional performers in all English-speaking independent film and television production in Canada, except for British Columbia which has a separate agreement) broke down at the end of 2006, ACTRA knew that the stakes for performers in Canada and elsewhere were so high that a dramatic decision needed to be taken. Accordingly, its membership overwhelmingly agreed to take the first industrial action in their long history. A painful decision indeed, but one that could ultimately not be avoided, given the producers’ refusal to grant performers, among other things, any financial compensation for the exploitation of their work on new media, and the Internet in particular.
FIA and many of its affiliates around the world pledged their unconditional support, knowing that this was indeed a test case and that any negative precedent would backfire on the future income of their members as well. Without a doubt, this is where most of their revenue will originate from in the near future.
After several months of deadlock, an agreement was finally reached and ratified by ACTRA’s membership by a record return vote of almost 90%. The new agreement carries significant economic gains for performers in key areas, including a 10% increase in payments over the next three years – with a 1% increase into retirement contributions – and a comprehensive new deal for productions made for, and converted to, new media.
FIA wishes to congratulate ACTRA and its membership for taking this fight head on and for reaching an outstanding agreement that will have positive repercussions in other future negotiations. We also wish to express our gratitude to all our affiliates that reacted so promptly to our call and vowed their solidarity to striking performers in Canada.