The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) are returning to the bargaining table this week after a pause in negotiations.
More than 100 writers – along with several Canadian screen sector unions and guilds – have expressed solidarity with the WGC as they head back into discussions to renew their Independent Production Agreement (IPA) for a three-year term.
“We urge the CMPA to engage with our bargaining committee in a respectful and good faith effort to address the needs of writers and creators in a swiftly changing world,” read an open letter from more than 100 live-action showrunners and animation executive story editors.
The letter — which has signatories such as Aaron Martin (Slasher), Anthony Q. Farrell (Shelved), Bilal Baig (Sort Of), Jennifer Podemski (Little Bird), and Morwyn Brebner (Coroner) — claims the CMPA “has rejected proposals that are vital to the livelihood of Canadian screenwriters and the health of the industry.”
Negotiations between the WGC and the CMPA were disbanded on Nov. 23, according to a previously reported memo from the CMPA, which was obtained by Playback Daily.
The memo said the CMPA had “advised the WGC that we are prepared to engage in substantive discussions regarding what they have identified as their key priorities that have not been adequately addressed thus far.”
Among the CMPA’s proposals were minimum script fee increases of more than 11% for live-action productions, and roughly 20% for animation, as well as an offer to discuss protections around artificial intelligence. The current IPA expires on Dec. 31.
Several Canadian unions and guilds have expressed solidarity with the WGC as bargaining resumes, including the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and NABET (National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians) 700-M UNIFOR.
“ACTRA calls upon the CMPA to heed the call for fundamental and necessary change in their agreements, and encourages it to engage in meaningful, good faith bargaining with the WGC,” said ACTRA National president Eleanor Noble.
“We support a fair deal that addresses the legitimate concerns of the WGC and its members, regarding key issues such as AI and fair compensation. Writers are an integral part of our industry, and deserve protections that see their value respected, and reflected in both their compensation and job security,” she continued.
John Lewis, IATSE’s director of Canadian affairs and international VP, said the union’s members “recognize and support our fellow entertainment workers in their pursuit of a fair and equitable agreement with the CMPA, which addresses the urgent needs of Canadian writers.”
Added NABET in a statement: “Writers are the genesis of film, television, and new media production, and deserve to be fairly recognized for the massive value they contribute to our screen-based industry. We urge the CMPA to seriously consider the writers’ issues put forward and come to a fair and reasonable agreement that will give the industry in Canada stability as we come out of an already tumultuous year.”
The WGC and CMPA have stated they are unable to comment on ongoing negotiations.
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