September, 8, 2023

Dear Ranks,

Day 500: Still Standing

Where do we go from here?

Labour lockouts are contentious. They have significant economic and emotional impacts on workers. We FEEL this. We see you.

500 Days locked out of the National Commercial Agreement by the ICA and 15 locking out agencies. Their brands continue to use replacement labour, pushing 9000 members out of work. 

For the signatory agencies still using ACTRA talent, it begs the question: How are they getting their brands to do it? While agencies with the same clients and the same budgets refuse.

We can't keep talking about stalled negotiations; we're talking about losing our jurisdiction.

The tireless work that our Union officials have put in to modernize the NCA has been lost on our employers. At this point, no matter how well-intentioned any executive and administrative staff are, we know only economic disruption brings an employer to heel.

But how can we create economic disruption when we're locked out? How can we withhold our labour when we aren't working? 

If we can't withhold our labour, then we must disrupt theirs.

For instance, did you know that nearly 4,000 commercials are shot in Toronto annually? In 2021, the city introduced a fee-for-use permitting system expected to generate how much revenue?

So, when someone claims neutrality in this fight for our livelihoods, follow the money. We believe The City of Toronto has an obligation to creative labourers here. Shall we halt the approval of all permits until this dispute is resolved or on the path to NCA recovery? No more permits; shut it down; Toronto is a union town! Just jamming. But the tune already sounds great.

Today, we ask you:
What do members want to do?
What can we achieve together?
What type of action empowers you to engage?

If you've been with us on this 500-day journey, you know that we're a resilient community. We're a grassroots task force, and we've achieved so much—but we're just getting started.

Whether you've attended our meetings, read our posts, hugged us at rallies or supported us in any way, we thank you. To the friends, allies, mentors, and activists who have graciously shared their time and expertise with us—you have kept us going!

This work extends beyond the NCA. It's about reform. Not radicalism. We want to be on the right side of reform because it means progress. We want to embrace differing opinions, lean into members, and strategize a way back to work. Don't you? 

As a Caucus, our work has been about moving the Rank and File forward. We can't go back, but we won't stand still. It's about progression, not succession.

We are Union Strong because we are in this fight together. When one member is locked out - we are ALL locked out. WGA writer Alex O'Keefe (The Bear) reminds us that "Solidarity is Love". Today, let’s link arms and hold tight.

Stand with your locked-out brothers and sisters, and add your voice to the choir of amplifying this fight. We will continue to advocate and agitate with you.

We love hearing from you. We have been listening and in these trenches with you. We will be hosting a series of meetings and holding community office hours. We have an incredible list of guests lined up to join us. Guests who have walked these paths and won!

If this work and energy have felt good, invite a friend! Hell, invite 5! Bring them to a meeting or pass this letter on. Today is a hard milestone; reach out. Tag us on IG, share our posts or reply here and say hi. 

The ICA needs to return to the table. The brands need to treat us like the co-producers of wealth that we are. Like we said on Day 365, "Put us back in the booth and on the floor. We aren't trying to interrupt your billions; we are just trying to make a living."

500 Days Strong: We Stand Together 

In Solidarity,
RCAP Steering Committee