ACTRA Dues Increase Approved
December 20, 2007 – ACTRA members have voted to approve the dues change proposed in the most recent constitutional referendum. These changes will put our ACTRA branches in a more stable financial situation and allow ACTRA to build strength following the first strike in our 65 year history.
The dues change was approved by 66.1%. A total of 13,521 ballots were mailed out to Full ACTRA members on November 21, 2007. In the Maritimes, 76.9% of ballots received were in favour of the increases.
As of March 1, 2008, basic dues will be set at $195 per year for Full ACTRA members, up $20 from $175 annually. Working dues will also change, moving from 2.0 % of earnings to 2.25 %. Dues will now be capped at $4,000, from a previous cap of $3,000. Senior members’ dues will continue to be calculated at half of the basic annual rate for Full members. This will result in a change from $87.50 to $97.50 per year.
In June 2007, ACTRA National Council charged the National Finance Committee, composed of councillors from across Canada, with reviewing ACTRA’s overall financial picture following our first strike. The FInance Committee met extensively and delivered its final report to the National Council on October 25, 2007. The National Council overwhelmingly endorsed the Finance Commitee’s recommendations and approved a constitutional referendum seeking a dues adjustment.
The dues change is about building and strengthening ACTRA’s resources. Your union is now in a better position to tackle the challenges of the internet, digital broadcasting and new media, to fight for more Canadian production through our efforts in public policy and to continue delivering strong services for ACTRA members through all our Branch offices.
This dues change will strengthen ACTRA as we prepare for the tough rounds of bargaining we face throughout 2008 and 2009. Our brothers and sisters in the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since November 6, 2007. They are fighting for the same rights we went on strike for: fair payment for use of work in digital media. We won that fight, but we’ll be fighting again in Commercial Agreement negotiations in 2008 and IPA negotiations as early as January 2009.
