Heated waters may reach the boiling point at 21,000-member-strong ACTRA. Negotiations with the two associations representing the country’s ad agencies and advertisers — the Institute of Communications Agencies and the Association of Canadian Advertisers — over the agreement governing commercial rates and terms has ACTRA’s bargaining team seeking a strike mandate from its members next Thursday.

‘After almost a year and a half of negotiations, our members’ patience is running out,’ said ACTRA boss Stephen Waddell in a statement.

The decision comes after 17 months of negotiations culminated in a deadlock in July, resulting in a joint request for the involvement of government conciliators. The parties are expected to meet again Sept. 25, with the conciliators on board. Deadline for ballot returns is Oct. 14.

From Media in Canada