[e-drive][EQUIFLASH: CTA RATIFIED BY MEMBERS]

[Darlene Bullard]

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Equi-Flash: The 12th Canadian Theatre Agreement 2003-2006 Ratified!
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The vote is in! The 2003-2006 Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA) has
officially been ratified by the members of Canadian Actors' Equity on
August 20th, 2003. Over 85% of the members who voted cast their vote in
favour of the proposed changes. Overall, the return rate on ballots
mailed was 23%. Thanks to CAEA members Graham Harley and Andrew Scorer
who volunteered their time to count the ballots.

The terms of the 2003-06 CTA are set to take effect on September 1st,
2003 and run through to June 25th, 2006. The current CTA (2000-2003) was
extended from June 29th until September 1st, 2003. Under the terms of
the extension agreement, increases to compensation, additional duty and
services fees, and other monetary amounts will be retroactive to June
30th, 2003. An interactive calculator for determining the Amended
Contractual Fee is available on our website at www.caea.com.

Negotiations with the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
resulted in sweeping changes to the Canadian Theatre Agreement. The
changes to the agreement include numerous measures to protect the
independent contractor status of performers; improvements to the
non-professional quota; the inclusion of fight directors; and the
formation of a joint task force between PACT and Equity to make
recommendations for future negotiations on terms and conditions for
child-performers.

In regard to fees, cost of living increases for Sector 1 (not for
profit) are 2.5% in the first year of the agreement, 3.25% in the second
year, and 2.5% in the third year, for an 8.47% cumulative increase. In
Sector 2 (commercial), the cost of living increases were 3% in all three
years, for a cumulative increase of 9.27%. These increases will be
applied to minimum fees after the management RRSP contributions,
insurance premiums and vacation pay are rolled into the current fees.

Equity will now be solely responsible for the provision of insurance
coverage to its members. The supplemental (top-up) insurance plan which
was previously only open to members in long running musicals and at
Stratford will now also be available to members and apply to all
engagements in A+, Shaw, and all Sector 2 (commercial) productions. 

For more details, please contact Ken Burns or Douglas Irons at Canadian
Actors' Equity.

Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
Tel: 416-867-9165
Fax: 416-867-9246
e-mail: communications at caea.com