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(thread) Hi @CdnActorsEquity members! I'm currently on leave from council until the end of the month, but as I sat on the negotiations team, I wanted to chime in & let you know why I think the CTA amendments deserve your YES vote. I believe it will help advance our industry.
There's a lot to get through, but it's worth a read. @healeytypes did a great bullet point list on his twitter, and our Exec director Arden has emailed members with some highlights. These include:
"-Enhanced Inclusion article, which requires the Engager to make concrete commitments to increased inclusion + considerations to ensure integrity in casting."
An issue for years, now we can work together to make stages across the country better reflect our society. thumbs up!
An issue for years, now we can work together to make stages across the country better reflect our society. thumbs up!
"-Revision of “As Cast” to “Casting by Consent,” giving Artists agency when accepting roles unassigned at the time of contracting + ability to request a meeting w/Director and to turn down the role if it presents a conflict with their identity"
THUMBS UP!
THUMBS UP!
"-Audition prohibition on requiring an artist to reveal their age or weight & the removal of any nudity during the audition.
Big thumbs up! You should *never* have to mention ur age/weight or take off your clothes to audition for a role. I'm v. happy to see this go into the CTA
Big thumbs up! You should *never* have to mention ur age/weight or take off your clothes to audition for a role. I'm v. happy to see this go into the CTA
"-Gradual reduction of Level 2 percentages resulting in the removal of Level 2 entirely by the end of this Agreement."
Ever had a Level 2 contract? Remember how it made you feel? I'm happy to see Level 2 go....and I know many of you will be as well. Thumbs up!
Ever had a Level 2 contract? Remember how it made you feel? I'm happy to see Level 2 go....and I know many of you will be as well. Thumbs up!
"-New, flexible rehearsal models, allowing for greater pro-rating in one case and non-continuous rehearsal in the other."
This is something that I hope can bear fruit. Especially going forward, how we make theatre doesn't always need to be attached to old models. Thumbs up!
This is something that I hope can bear fruit. Especially going forward, how we make theatre doesn't always need to be attached to old models. Thumbs up!
"-terms and conditions for the engagement of Intimacy Directors and Intimacy Captains."
Welcome to the CTA, Intimacy Directors and Captains! Thumbs up!
Welcome to the CTA, Intimacy Directors and Captains! Thumbs up!
"-For the first time, Theatres have agreed to pay Apprentice Stage Managers the applicable provincial minimum wage.
Such a big win for ASMs deserves a big thumbs up!
Such a big win for ASMs deserves a big thumbs up!
"-Equity members engaged as Assistant Directors/Assistant Choreographers shall now be engaged on insurance only contract but may negotiate to have a full Equity contract"
As someone who has before/will again be an AD, I'm happy to see this! Thumbs up!
As someone who has before/will again be an AD, I'm happy to see this! Thumbs up!
"-New language to facilitate members working on Community Engaged Activities with an Equity contract that addresses the specific conditions of the engagement, while covering the member when doing the work."
Happy about this one as it protects members. Thumbs up!
Happy about this one as it protects members. Thumbs up!
"-Removal of all gendered pronouns (he/she) in favour of gender-neutral language (the Artist, they, their, etc.)."
Like, obviously. Thumbs up!
Like, obviously. Thumbs up!
"-To further engage w/ their communities, Theatres may present non-PACT companies w/out adhering them to the ITA, however, all Equity members on those projects will continue to be engaged on an Equity contract."
A biggie, but again about protecting members. Thumbs up!
A biggie, but again about protecting members. Thumbs up!
There's a lot more to read through...as @christinequinty says, truly an unholy slog to get through every detail & amendment, but these are the big ones. Theatre-making in this country is changing, and this CTA engages with that change and looks forward. So? Thumbs up from me!
In addition to some members of Equity's hard-working staff (like the rest of us, they've had a helluva year), the following Equity members formed your CTA negotiation team, undertaking a MOUNTAIN of work & engagement w/ membership to arrive here after 18 months of negotiations:
Deena Aziz, @alanabeemusic, Kevin Bundy, @courtneyvl, Christina Cicko, @kann_d, Tracey Flye, Sochi Fried, Kerry Gage, moi, @erikadmorey, Chris Porter, @fighteractress, Colin Simmons, Cailin Stadnyk, Ordena StephensThompson, @tantojon, Michaela Washburn, & help from Allan Teichman
they deserve a MASSIVE round of applause, as do the folks at PACT. I'm proud to have been part of such a passionate, hard-working, intelligent group of people, and happily advocate a YES vote. Voting instructions have been emailed to you and you have until Dec 17th to vote!
if you need voting assistance, email: [email protected]
Other questions? Want a clarification? Email any of your councillors or our exec Director Arden R. Ryshpan at [email protected] or Margaret Thompson, Business Rep Manager - Theatre Agreements at [email protected]
Other questions? Want a clarification? Email any of your councillors or our exec Director Arden R. Ryshpan at [email protected] or Margaret Thompson, Business Rep Manager - Theatre Agreements at [email protected]
In solidarity w/ every #EquityStrong member, I'm looking forward to 2021. As many of you know, I recently lost my Mother to cancer, so this year is ending on a difficult emotional note for me. Looking fwd to the new year, the resumption of our work, and a 5-minute call!
xo rgh
xo rgh
