Unions

What unions are there?

In BC, there are three performer-related unions that you should know of.

Union of BC Performers (UBCP/ACTRA)

  • "UBCP/ACTRA is an autonomous branch of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. UBCP/ACTRA’s more than 8,500 members from B.C. and the Yukon are integral to the approximately 28,000 performers who have come together to build ACTRA, Canada’s strongest Union of cultural workers."

Alliance of Canadian Cinema Television and Radio Artist (ACTRA)

  • "ACTRA is a national organization of 18,000 Canadian performers working in the English-language recorded media: Film, Television, Video and all other recorded media.”

Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA)

  • “Canadian Actors’ Equity is the professional association of performers, directors, choreographers, fight directors and stage managers in English Canada who are engaged in live performance in theatre, opera and dance.”

Should I join the union?

Depending on where you are in the development of your career, joining the union could be the obvious next step, or it may be something that you decide to wait on. Research your options, and decide what would benefit you the most to continue to grow as an artist. Ask for opinions from others in the industry – other performing friends, your agent, people you met on set. In the end, it’s still your own decision. You could even write a Pros/Cons list that fits your specific situation.

Lists such as these are highly subjective, but here are some common pros and cons that could start you out.

Pros

They...

  • negotiate minimum fees for performers.
  • provide health and medical insurance.
  • help to resolve disputes.
  • provide a set of rules for the productions to follow to safe working conditions.
  • may provide inexpensive classes and workshops.
  • provide rules on how the audition process goes.

Cons

  • You may be limited on being able to work on non-union projects unless the union gives you and the production company permission to do so.
  • You are subject to pay a yearly fee along with a fee for each union project you work on.

How do I join the union?

The best way to find that out is to go to the site of the union you are thinking about and look at their specific membership requirements. If you have more questions you want to ask about the union, give them a call.