A little more than a year after it ended its first-ever strike, the union that represents most English-language Canadian performers is seeking another strike mandate from its members.
Negotiations between ACTRA and the two associations representing Canada’s ad agencies and advertisers have been deadlocked since the end of July, said Stephen Waddell, the union’s executive director.
The last contract, covering performers who work in commercials, expired in June.
“We’re going to our members to ask for a strike mandate to demonstrate—loud and clear—that performers will not accept less for their work,” said Waddell in a release. “After almost a year and a half of negotiations, our members’ patience is running out.”
“All reports indicate that the ad industry has been doing very well. There’s no justification for ad agencies and advertisers to try to reduce the compensation of performers,” said Waddell.
One of the sticking points has been a demand by advertisers to eliminate some categories of performer in their agreement with the union.
A vote is being conducted by mail among ACTRA’s 21,000 members and the deadline for ballots to be returned is Oct. 14. A strike vote does not necessarily mean a union will strike but is a first step in giving it the power to do so.
ACTRA is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Institute of Communication Agencies and the Association of Canadian Advertisers on Sept. 25, with the assistance of government conciliators.
Ron Lund, president of the ACA, said Tuesday he remains confident a deal will be reached.
ACTRA members employed in the independent film and television industry went on strike early last year for six weeks before signing a deal with producers.
