Dear ACTRA Toronto members,

We are pleased to provide an update on your ACTRA Toronto bargaining team’s progress in negotiating the Independent Production Agreement (IPA) on your behalf. From November 4 to 14, your IPA bargaining team was in Montreal deeply engaged with the producers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving meaningful advancements for performers.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume in Toronto on December 9, 2024. Both ACTRA and the producers have expressed a commitment to meet virtually in the interim, demonstrating a shared interest in maintaining momentum toward reaching an agreement.

Progress to Date

The first phase of negotiations saw both sides presenting formal, plenary-style proposals. These initial exchanges set the stage for focused discussions, as your bargaining team carefully analyzed the producers’ positions and strategized our responses.

Recognizing the complexity of the issues at hand, we established sub-committees to ensure smaller, in-depth conversations on key topics, allowing ACTRA members on the bargaining team to share real-world experiences directly with producers.

Sub-Committees Addressing Member Priorities

The sub-committees are tackling critical issues, including:

• Artificial Intelligence: Ensuring performer protections against misuse.
• Auditions & Self-Tapes: Streamlining processes to be fair and manageable.
• Work Opportunities: Expanding pathways for all members.
• Respect & Equal Treatment: Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Accessibility, production obligations, and workplace conditions.
• Animation: Addressing unique challenges in the animation and voice sector.
• Intimacy & Consent-Based Interactions: Strengthening protections for performers in sensitive workplace scenarios.
• Background Work: Advocating for equitable treatment and opportunities.
• Stunt Provisions & Health and Safety: Ensuring industry standards prioritize safety.
• Residuals: Modernizing residual structures to reflect today’s streaming distribution landscape.
• Monetary: Advocating for fair and comprehensive wage increases.
• Hair & Makeup: Addressing specific concerns about performer readiness and inclusion.
• Minors: Strengthening language to protect some of our most vulnerable workers.

Each sub-committee’s insights are shaping our strategy to secure a collective agreement that reflects the evolving industry landscape.

The Path Forward

We concluded this bargaining round with a detailed set of written responses to producers’ proposals. The producers are now reviewing our position, and we await their feedback.

Our Commitment

Your bargaining team remains resolute in pursuing:

• Robust protections against the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence.
• A revised residuals model that recognizes performers’ contributions in today’s complex content ecosystem.
• Fair, across-the-board wage increases to address rising costs of living and the value of performers’ work.

Your unwavering support strengthens our resolve. Together, we are working toward fundamental improvements that will ensure a more equitable future for all ACTRA members.

Thank you for standing with us. United we bargain!

In solidarity,
David Gale
ACTRA Toronto President