Monthly Archives: July 2023

In light of the ongoing WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikes, The Actors Fund of Canada (The AFC) have created a condensed Emergency Financial Aid (EFA) application form for temporary use, so they can efficiently help the many people in need of financial assistance due to low or no work as a result of the strikes. They are already seeing a significant increase in applications and we are informing our Members about this temporary strike application form, so Members can apply to the EFA program with more ease during this challenging time.

The AFC is short-term, charitable emergency financial assistance for essential household bills and costs that cannot otherwise be paid. This assistance is based on immediate financial need and does not need to be paid back. Right now, The AFC is focusing on making sure that people can meet their expenses for the next 4-8 weeks and consider requests for one month at a time. The AFC does not provide income replacement or ongoing assistance.

To receive financial assistance, you need to:

• Be professionally eligible:
  • Are working age and have earned the majority of your income from entertainment industry work in the period from 2019 until present OR
  • Are over 65 and have earned the majority of your income from the industry over your working life;
• Demonstrate urgent financial need (have less than 8 weeks living expenses in the bank);
• Make all reasonable efforts to support yourself through other resources;
• Provide the required information and documents.

To download the fillable PDF for Emergency Financial Aid, please click here

For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section on the EFA website at https://afchelps.ca/get-help/.

For the condensed, strike-specific Emergency Financial Aid application form, go to https://afchelps.ca/strike.

UBCP/ACTRA direct link – Strike Updates – UBCP/ACTRA (ubcpactra.ca)

SAG-AFTRA Strike FAQ 

As you are likely aware, SAG-AFTRA negotiations with the AMPTP have collapsed and a strike has now been declared. Please see below some frequently asked questions with our answers based on the most current information available to us.

How does the strike impact dual ACTRA – SAG-AFTRA members who reside in Canada?
If you are a dual member who resides in Canada and are engaged on a Canadian production, you may  work on an ACTRA contract as per usual.

How does the strike impact dual ACTRA – SAG-AFTRA members who reside in the US?
If you are a dual member who resides in the US, and you are offered work in Canada, please contact SAG-AFTRA before accepting a booking.

Will Canadian producers still be able to hire SAG-AFTRA members who work in Canada?
If you are a producer who wants to engage a SAG-AFTRA member, including dual members who reside outside of Canada, please contact SAG-AFTRA.

What is the impact on performers, ACTRA or SAG-AFTRA already under contract in Canada?

Performers under an existing contract in Canada have a legal obligation to work and will not be asked by SAG-AFTRA to withhold services.

Does the SAG-AFTRA Strike affect SAG-AFTRA Signatory productions in Canada?
Yes. Please see SAG-AFTRA’s FAQ.

How can we support SAG-AFTRA?
Please like and share social media posts in support of our sibling union and watch for updates on upcoming solidarity actions.

Now that SAG-AFTRA has declared a strike, when can UBCP/ACTRA issue its own strike notice?
The BC Master Production Agreement (BCMPA) doesn’t expire until March 31, 2024 and may be extended to March 31, 2025. Unions cannot declare a strike while their collective agreement is still in effect and regardless, we would still need to attempt to bargain the renewal of the expiring BCMPA first.

Writer’s Guild of America Strike Action FAQ

On May 2nd, the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) took strike action against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) companies following unsuccessful negotiations and the expiry of the Guild’s Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement.

Much remains to be seen concerning the potential impact here in BC and will depend on several factors including the duration of the strike itself. Please see below some frequently asked questions with our answers based on the most current information available to us. We will provide updates as information changes.

Q: What does the WGA’s strike authorization vote mean?
On April 17, the WGA announced that 97.8% of its membership voted in favour of authorizing a strike. With this strike mandate, the WGA was able to call a strike after their Basic Agreement expired May 1st.

Q: Can productions be legally picketed here?
The WGA is not a trade union in BC so it cannot legally picket here. It has never been recognized by the BC Labour Relations Board to be a trade union under the BC Labour Code.

Q: Can local unions who “support” the WGA have their members withhold services on a struck production?
No. Any withdrawal of services by the members of a BC union in support of the WGA would be an illegal strike.
UBCP/ACTRA and the other film unions in BC have language in their respective agreements that prohibits strikes or lockouts while their agreements are still in effect. If you as an individual decide not to report to work as required, you may be subject to breach of contract claims or be subject to termination by the Producer.

Q: What issues are the WGA striking over?
There is no shortage of information in the media about what the Guild is fighting for, but we recommend going to the WGA’s website for information www.wga.org.

Q: How long is the strike expected to last?
There is no way to predict how long the strike will continue. The last time the WGA held a strike was in 2007 and it lasted 100 days.

Q: Will we see production slow down or stop in BC due to the strike?
To some degree, production levels have already slowed down in anticipation of a possible Writers’ strike. However, only productions that fall under the WGA’s jurisdiction would be affected, not those under the jurisdiction of the Writers Guild of Canada. Generally speaking, Canadian productions, as well as US productions with completed scripts will continue to shoot. As such, a noticeable drop in production may not occur right away.