There are three categories of ACTRA membership:
(1) Full Members. These individuals have obtained full membership either by virtue of being an Equity Member in Good Standing, or by establishing their status under “Professional Reputation” or by having obtained the appropriate number of work permits (6 or 3 for visible minorities). In order to have the work permits apply towards membership, individuals must be Apprentice Members in good standing. Full members benefit from preference of audition and engagement, ACTRA Fraternal insurance and retirement benefits, Face to Face On Line, training initiatives and full voting privileges etc. Members pay basic dues of $175.00 per year and 2% of their income as working dues to their respective branch. The initiation fee is $450.00.
(2) Apprentice Members are individuals working towards their full membership. They have been invited to become Apprentice Members upon receiving their first qualifying work permit in our jurisdiction. Work permits will not be credited retroactively. Apprentice Members benefit from preference of audition and engagement after full ACTRA members, Face to Face Online, training initiatives and voting privileges (if eligible) for strike or ratification referenda. Apprentice Members pay $75.00/year plus the applicable work permit fees.
It is important to note, that a recent By-Law change (2001) has introduced a service charge of 50% of the applicable work permit being charged on any work permits in excess of six for those individuals who have elected to not join ACTRA.
(3) ACTRA Extra Members. The Background (Extra) jurisdiction under the Independent Production Agreement (the IPA) for the Edmonton Branch is the first 10 plus stand ins and photo doubles. Background performers are hired on “vouchers”
and paid rates under the collective agreement. Preference of engagement is given to Full and Apprentice Members. Background performers hired in excess of the 10 plus stand ins and photo doubles are hired as “cash” extras.
A new category of membership came into effect June 3 2001. An ACTRA EXTRA member is a performer (other than a Full or Apprentice Member) who intends to work in background roles and is admitted into ACTRA by fulfilling the following criteria:- worked as a background performer for at least 24 full work days within the 12 months immediately preceding the application date, and successfully completed an orientation course or the like, acceptable to the Branch/local.
“Cash” background performers (extras) make no less than $9.00/hour when working under the IPA Agreement. ACTRA extras have preference of engagement as a background performer after Full and Apprentice Members and have the right to participate in strike or ratification votes – subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
ACTRA Extras pay a one time Initiation fee of $75.00 and $30.00/year plus 2% dues based on gross earnings.
Nothing shall prevent an ACTRA Extra from applying to become a Full or Apprentice Member provided he/she independently satisfies the applicable requirements set out in the ACTRA Constitution and By Laws.
