Canadian Labour Congress supports ACTRA’s boycott

TORONTO (April 25, 2023) – Tomorrow marks one year since the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) unlawfully locked out 28,000 performers, refusing to agree to minimum rights and protections of ACTRA members who make their living doing commercials.

“The ICA and it’s fifteen advertising agencies are shamefully trying to gut ACTRA’s National Commercial Agreement,” said Eleanor Noble, ACTRA National President. “While they refuse to bargain a fair agreement with us, their actions continue to be devastating, keeping ACTRA performers from earning a living for a year now. It’s unconscionable.”

After months of no progress at the bargaining table, ACTRA launched a national consumer boycott of six major brands who use those agencies: H&R Block, Canadian Tire, Rogers, Wendy’s, Home Hardware and Sleep Country.

“This year-long union busting attack on ACTRA performers affects all of us in the labour movement,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “Canada’s workers won’t tolerate shameful union busters who disrupt Canadian industries and undermine workers. The CLC’s 3 million workers stand in solidarity with ACTRA members and we won’t back down.”

The CLC’s Executive Committee voted to endorse ACTRA’s boycott which has been widely shared with all affiliate unions, which collectively represent 3.3 million workers.

ACTRA members have been picketing outside H&R Block locations in Canada. The union’s boycott and letter writing campaign has been widely promoted across Canada, asking consumers to send a message to the CEO’s of Union Busting Brands and their ad agencies saying they will take their business elsewhere until they bargain fairly. Download the printable boycott poster here.

ACTRA’s complaint of bad faith bargaining against the ICA is before the Ontario Labour Relation Board.

Media outlets are cleared to make unlimited use of ACTRA photos and videos about the boycott and lockout.

About ACTRA:

ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national union of professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of over 28,000 members across the country – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.

Contact: Carol Taverner, ACTRA National Public Relations Officer: ctaverner@actra.ca