Dear Members,
When I wrote to you last week about the National dues increase referendum, I wanted you to have a portrait of how your union – ACTRA Toronto – would utilize the increased revenue.
I focused on what I hoped you would see as positive and financially responsible elements like:
- Making sure fundamental union services remain available to you.
- Continuing to promote ACTRA Toronto as a skilled creative trade union.
- Working to advocate for what comes next to protect creative labour.
After sitting with the ACTRA National Council over the last two days we made the urgent and necessary decision to amend the upcoming dues referendum. We’ll put it in front of you to vote on March 6th, but I want to give you a quick idea of what it’s about.
Originally, we sought to remove the dues cap entirely. However, having not changed the dues structure in 18 years, we now realize this was too drastic a step and would lead to unpredictability in our members’ finances. Over the last two days, Councillors from across the country brought many questions, concerns and calls for greater transparency to the table, which led us to a sober second thought. After working to build unity and consensus, we proposed the following:
- An adjustment to the Basic Dues. Currently $195, moving to $225 this year and $250 in 2026.
- A change to the Working Dues starting in 2026. Currently 2.25%, will move to 2.50%
- The Dues Cap, currently $4000, would move to $7000 this year, exclusive of Basic Dues. This comes with a promise to revisit this dues cap level within 2 years and further consult on where we go next.
The numbers and changes we made were not arbitrarily decided. Last year we conducted a comprehensive economic report, and several different options were considered. Where we as a national council arrived today, was directly because of that work. When we proposed the removal of the dues cap, we were purely thinking about the financial bottom line. Today as we heeded the calls coming from inside the house, we went back to that math, determined – from branch to branch and across the country – to find something that we could stand behind.
There were, as could be expected, contrasting views. But in the end, we know we must balance the need for change, after 18 years of stagnation, with fiscal responsibility and the present needs of our membership.
I will have much more to share with you in the coming days, including a look at the dues structures of other unions within our industry so you can see how our changes line up.
As you will also read in an eblast, on March 4th we are holding two ACTRA Toronto Town Halls. One from 12-2pm and one from 7:30-9:30. Please come and ask any questions you may have.
In solidarity,
Kate Ziegler
ACTRA Toronto President