WordPress

Tag: president

  • National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

    Hello members,  

    The École Polytechnique massacre in 1989 remains a haunting moment in our Canadian history. Fourteen women pursuing engineering had their lives, dreams, and hopes stolen from them through an act of senseless violence, steeped in gender-based discrimination. This devastating incident shook our nation, shedding light on the deep-seated issues of gender inequality and violence against women. 

    Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, ACTRA honours these lives lost. The memory of the Montréal massacre reminds us of the vital work needed to address misogyny and create a safer, more equitable society. It sparked crucial conversations and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and ending violence against women. Their stories motivate us to redouble our efforts in confronting gender-based violence, fostering a culture of respect, safety, and equality in our industry and beyond. I encourage you to take the time to reflect, learn, or explore these resources:

    Watch [CONTENT WARNING – graphic, violent, triggering]: From the prolific mind of Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the movie Polytechnique serves as a poignant reminder of this tragic event. Even though 1989 feels distant for some, Polytechnique makes an imprint on generations to come, highlighting the importance of ensuring we never let such a heartbreaking incident happen again. 

    Learn: Take the aftermetoo training to become a better ally and support the work of a wonderful organization while you learn more about gender-based violence. 

    Share: Gender-based violence is a daily experience for some individuals, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to foster a culture of change. Let’s keep the conversation going in a safe, respectful way. 

    We stand committed to advocating for change, amplifying voices, and tirelessly working towards a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can flourish without the fear of violence or discrimination. 

    In solidarity, 

    Eleanor Noble

  • 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

    November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and the start of the Global 16 Days Campaign, also known as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals experience violence every day due to their gender, gender expression, or perceived gender.  Members of Indigenous, rural or 2SLGBTQIA+ communities face heightened risks of gender-based violence – and it’s everyone’s responsibility to combat it.  

    This year’s focus, “Listen. Learn. Act.,” urges us to support survivors, educate ourselves, and take meaningful action against gender-based violence. We recognize that our role as a union extends beyond our organizational boundaries; it’s about fostering a cultural shift, a collective consciousness that denounces violence in all its forms. 

    From November 25 to December 10, I urge every member to reflect on the impact of gender-based violence. Let us pledge to LISTEN intently to survivors’ voices, LEARN continually about the root causes, and ACT decisively in our daily lives to challenge and eliminate this systemic issue – here are some suggestions to get started:

    • Watch a movie, video or documentary related to gender-based violence such as those available on the National Film Board website (various languages; viewer discretion is advised for some films).
    • Take the aftermetoo training addressing sexual harassment and violence – it’s only 30 minutes and features ACTRA members. 
    • Attend an event in your community to show your support to victims of gender-based violence. Consider donating to a local shelter if you can.
    • On the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, honour the victims of the Polytechnique Montréal tragedy with us by wearing a white ribbon. 
    • On December 10, Human Rights Day, read the full text or simplified version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or check out the illustrated booklet of the Declaration.
    • Keep an eye on our social media for more resources!

    Let’s all play our part and stand with those affected by the scourge of gender-based violence.

    In Solidarity,

    Eleanor

  • Happy Labour Day, ACTRA Members!

    Black and white graphic that reads: Happy Labour Day, Thank you for a #hotlaboursummer, and the logo ACTRA at the bottom

    Dear members, 

    This Labour Day will mark the 496th day ACTRA has been shamefully locked out by the Institute of Canadian Advertisers (ICA). Our sibling unions across the border, SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, are on strike. Our industry is at a crucial moment in time. Workers’ rights and the power of collective mobilization is more important than ever. 

    Since April 26, 2022, ACTRA members have come together, raising our voices in solidarity with other unions across Canada at rallies and on picket lines, standing as one against corporate greed. 

    Labour Day is a time to appreciate and honour the work of those before us, who fought for fair wages and the safe working conditions we have today. And we carry on that fight.  

    I encourage you to attend any Labour Day events near you. You may also visit the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) website for an evolving list of activities across the country.

    Union Power – Union Strong, 

    Eleanor Noble 

  • Summer Update from National President Eleanor Noble

    Hello ACTRA members,

    What a summer this has been. 

    SAG-AFTRA went on strike, taking on the studios just as we were invited back to the NCA bargaining table by the ICA. The good news is that the media interest over the SAG-AFTRA strike has allowed us to shine an even greater spotlight on our lockout. We have done many interviews on all forms of news media outlets (radio, broadcast news, etc.). With each opportunity, we highlighted that ACTRA members have been in a 16-month illegal lockout by the ICA. We will keep doing our due diligence in taking advantage of every platform to get the message out. 

    On that note, ACTRA Toronto, UBCP/ACTRA, and ACTRA Montreal are holding an ACTRA Day of Action to protest locked out engagers. ACTRA Toronto and ACTRA Montreal dates are scheduled for Tuesday, August 22 with the UBCP/ACTRA date TBD. Please look out for further details on the time and location. As well, we encourage you to share our social media posts to help rally people to these important events for our commercial sector. Friends and family are welcome to attend in support of ACTRA performers and to end the lockout. 

    We continue to stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA during their strike and are watching negotiations closely. In case you missed it here is the latest update from the Writers Guild of America negotiating committee after returning to the table with AMPTP Friday.

    As a sign of our support, we are planning a cross-Canada rally that we hope will take place on Friday, August 25 to show solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes. Once again, when the details are confirmed, it would be great if you could share them widely on social media. 

    We will provide an update on the NCA once we are out of the current blackout. Please visit www.actra.ca/nca/ for the latest updates and FAQs. 

    Until then, thank you for your continued support and solidarity. These are interesting times, and we are doing everything necessary, at this critical point of change in the evolution of our industry, to protect ACTRA and its jurisdictions in all ways possible.