A potentially crippling work stoppage in the Canadian film and television industry could begin in just over two weeks after performers across the country voted overwhelmingly Friday in favour of a strike.
ACTRA (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) said in a statement the 97.6-per-cent support rate was the largest strike mandate in the union’s history.
“The overwhelming support of ACTRA members for their bargaining team puts our side in an excellent position to gain what our members need,” said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator.
The union’s agreement with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association ends on Dec. 31.
The two sides settled some non-monetary issues last week, but several stumbling blocks remain, including a sizeable gap in desired wage and benefit rates, as well as a dispute over digital media rights.
The uncertain labour situation has already had a chilling effect. Last week, Variety reported that the producers of The Pink Panther 2 and Disney’s National Treasure II: The Book of Secrets, had decided to not shoot in Toronto and Montreal respectively due to the prospect of a strike.
“Now we’re going to see if some days of relatively productive negotiating plus the immediate prospect of a major industrial disruption has changed the direction of these talks,” Waddell said.
ACTRA represents about 21,000 performers across the country, with the exclusion of British Columbia where there is a separate union.
Talks are scheduled to resume on Monday.
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