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ACTRA on Strike

 
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Dan-O
The Gates of Troy


Joined: 17 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:05 am    Post subject: ACTRA on Strike Reply with quote

Voices.com's blog Vox Daily is reporting on this. Here's the link: http://blogs.voices.com/voxdaily/2007/01/actra_strike.html
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Deirdre
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder how much of their production work will "runaway" to the US.
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We've already lost some productions just because of the threat of a strike. BC is under a different jurisdiction so they aren't affected by the strike.

Apparently some Canadian shows have been granted a pass so they will continue to be in production. Not sure why this is. And the actors are allowed to do commercials as well.

Apparently the producers are claiming the strike is illegal, but I haven't checked the newspaper for recent updates.
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Actra has some 21,000 members in total.
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer
King's Row


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

From today's Toronto Star:
Quote:
Yesterday, on Day 1 of the first ever labour action in ACTRA's 64 years, not one of the union's 21,000 Canadian actors and performers was walking a picket line.

In fact, everyone employed on a current production shoot from Alberta to Newfoundland – B.C. actors operate under a different contract – is still at work and actually earning an extra 5 per cent.

That is largely because the production companies signed "continuation agreements" with ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) agreeing to the pay hike, even as negotiations on a new three-year contract broke off as of 6:20 a.m. yesterday.


Here's an interesting take - from the same article:
Quote:
The producers have stated they'll petition an Ontario court to have the strike declared illegal and to make legal arguments questioning ACTRA's right to act for workers who are held to be self-employed contractors.


Hmmmm
Quote:
The key issue dividing the two sides – the question of cast compensation for the airing of movies and TV shows on Internet websites and other "new media" forums such as cellphones – will not be easily resolved.

It's an issue of relevance far beyond Canadian borders, with no benchmark agreements existing anywhere so far between producers and actors.

All the major U.S. studios are represented on the Canadian producers' bargaining team.

They know the same issue – payment for Internet and new media use – will be on the table in the near future when they enter negotiations for new deals with the Writers Guild of America, the Directors' Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild (which has 120,000 members).


Looks like they'll be using Canada to test the waters.
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Frank F
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Joined: 10 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are changes in the air... I can feel it. And, it is not the cold, -15 degree F, temprature we are expecting here in the Rockies this week.

It is interesting to have your perspective. I also note, the Producers are already working with ACTRA and willing to pay for the privelage of using Talent.

Must be something to do with "how much" Producers are willing to pay? Or is it the Voice-Actors want a different "slice of the pie" of emerging media?

Questions the US will face very soon.

Frank F
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer
King's Row


Joined: 30 Dec 2004
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Location: Toronto, Canada

PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, the ACTRA strike is over and here is a short summary of what has been resolved. Their treatment of new media payment to actors is interesting.

From The Toronto Star
Quote:
“This whole area of new media is an exciting new frontier, and we’re the first union that has a collective bargaining agreement that specifically covers this area,” he said.

The issue of new media was a sticking point with American studios in the previous tentative agreement reached last week.

The U.S. studios were hesitant to back such a precedent-setting deal without similar terms being first negotiated in contracts with American actors’ unions, Waddell said.

The tentative agreement includes an option that essentially provides a way out of the new terms for payment of work on new media.

After Jan. 1, 2009, that part of the agreement will be reopened and renegotiated. Once new terms are agreed to, actors will be paid retroactively and with interest for their new media work during the interim two years.

It also means producers can decide whether to pay actors for their new media work now or retroactively.

Under the agreement, performers will receive 3.6 per cent of gross revenue generated from product distributed in new media formats.

Performers will also receive a 10 per cent wage increase over the duration of the three-year agreement.

Waddell said he’s pleased the deal includes a pay increase, which puts the wages of Canadian actors on par with their American counterparts.

“It means increased pay and improved working conditions overall ... and that’s, I believe, going to be very positive for production overall and for the engagement of ACTRA members in particular.”

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