A  CTRA National has reached a settlement with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association Québécoise de la Production Médiatique (AQPM) in its hair and makeup grievance.

The performers’ union announced Thursday (May 25) that the groups met on May 18 to 19 for an arbitration hearing with arbitrator William Kaplan, leading to the settlement agreement on the second day of the hearing.

ACTRA National filed a grievance against the CMPA and AQPM in December 2021, alleging that members who are Black, Indigenous or a person of colour (BIPOC) face inequitable treatment when it comes to hair and makeup, due to the fact that some on-set hair and makeup artists lack proper training on how to work with the textured hair and skin tones of BIPOC performers.

The union said the grievance was triggered by “inaction” from the CMPA and AQPM when it would not agree to ACTRA’s bargaining proposals about hair and makeup equity when negotiating the current Independent Production Agreement (IPA), on the basis that it “contravenes ACTRA’s IPA and Human Rights legislation.”

One of the key terms reached, according to ACTRA, is the inclusion of “five full days of pre-bargaining on hair and makeup issues prior to the renewal of the IPA.”

The current IPA expires on Dec. 31, 2024, and bargaining is expected to commence in fall 2024. ACTRA said the agreement will “ensure that ample time will be allotted to finding joint solutions to create systemic change on sets.”

Other terms of the settlement include the creation of a “recommended standard of products and equipment” for hair and makeup professionals; a tool that will help producers “ascertain the skills and competencies required” for BIPOC performers; and a campaign to educate performers on their rights on set.

The settlement also includes a commitment to explore opportunities with industry partners and support existing training initiatives, and to “address allegations of discrimination and harassment related to the provision of hair and makeup services expeditiously.”

“We stand by the members who have spent years shouldering the responsibility of speaking up and advocating for change in this area,” said ACTRA National president Eleanor Noble in a statement. “The industry is finally listening. However, meaningful progress is going to require industry-wide cooperation, and ACTRA is pleased to be leading the way in coordinating these efforts to help create work environments that are free from harassment and discrimination for all performers.”

“The CMPA looks forward to continuing its ongoing work, including work in collaboration with industry stakeholders, to help ensure performers who are Black, Indigenous and Persons of Colour have equitable access to hair and makeup services. The CMPA also welcomes the opportunity to continue working with ACTRA to further address this important issue,” said the CMPA in a statement to Playback Daily.

“The grievance was just one element within a multi-pronged approach by ACTRA in the fight for equitable hair and makeup for BIPOC performers,” added Jenn Paul, director, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at ACTRA National. “Our hope is that the entire industry will join us in doing their part to build a more inclusive industry — because it can’t be done alone.”

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