B.C. Actors Union Approves Contract Extension with American and Canadian Producers
In a significant development for Hollywood North, the B.C. TV and film unions, including actors, have voted in favor of extending their labor agreements with American and Canadian producers. The proposal entails an extension to March 31, 2025 and a five percent wage increase. This decision brings some much-needed labor peace to the industry, particularly amidst the ongoing strikes by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Writers Guild of America.
Over 78 percent of the 8,000-plus actor members of the Union of British Columbia Performers/Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (UBCP/ACTRA) supported the contract extension with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP). The extension, which applies to the B.C. Master Production Agreement, will come into effect on April 1, 2024.
UBCP/ACTRA President Ellie Harvie expressed the importance of members favoring stability for the coming year. By securing the extension, the union ensures potential productions will continue to choose B.C. as a destination, which could have been jeopardized had negotiations been delayed or instability introduced.
The contract extension was voted on by various industry groups, including the B.C. Council of Film Unions, which represents IATSE 891, IATSE 669, Teamsters 155, and the Directors Guild of Canada B.C. All groups needed to vote affirmatively for the extension to proceed.
The decision to approve the contract extension, however, was met with opposition from some Canadian actors. More than 70 actors penned an open letter urging UBCP/ACTRA members not to agree to the extension, claiming it undermined solidarity with the ongoing strikes by the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America. However, many industry professionals, including Vancouver actor, writer, and showrunner Jonathan Lloyd Walker, disagreed, stating that the extension allows negotiations to take place after the larger guilds have made progress, setting important precedents.
The contract extension reflects the desire for stability within the entertainment industry during challenging times. Industry professionals are optimistic that both immediate security and long-term protection for industry concerns will be addressed. The hope is that the extension will allow for productive negotiations that take into account the rapidly changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
The approval of the contract extension signals a cautious yet positive step towards labor stability in B.C.’s film and TV industry. Time will tell if the extension proves beneficial for both actors and producers, but for now, it offers a glimmer of hope in an uncertain period for the entertainment world.
In response to the news, Postmedia reached out to the Screen Actors Guild for comment but received no response.
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