Dues Referendum 2014 - guest post

When I started with CAEA in 2005, I never gave any thought to the privileges that had been earned by the hard work of our association. Things like fair contracts, scheduled breaks, safe working conditions and insurance, I assumed were simply deserved and therefore provided. I had to ask what an RRSP contribution was (though, I've never been on the infamous 'list').

In 2010, I decided that I wanted a better understanding of what Equity was all about. I joined the Council Policy Advisory Group and marveled at the commitment, talent, care and foresight with which our organisation was being governed.

This country is huge and the number of approaches to creating our art is limited only by our imaginations. Understanding that our association is, simply that, 'ours' was incredibly empowering. The Indie 2.0 Agreement and the new Collective Agreement are two of the many testaments to the fact that our opinions matter and can make a difference - from coast to coast to coast. 

These changes take time. Undoubtedly. Personally, I would rather see it done with care and consideration - correctly and with sensitivity to how disparate our theatre landscape can be. 

I would like to tip my toque to our members across the country who have gathered information, researched, polled and laboured to ensure that we can adapt, grow and flourish.

Aaron Hursh
Member, Saskatchewan

Dues Referendum 2014 - guest post

It is a century since a group of actors banded together to form Equity (the name suggested by a Canadian) in NYC. As we contemplate the upcoming CAEA dues referendum, I find myself thinking on how lucky I have been to enjoy the support, protection, working condition advances and artist solidarity that my membership in CAEA has offered me over my 40 years' involvement within it.

I have also have been fortunate to have served on Council and the Executive in the past. I know how much the staff and Council does on members' behalf with very sparse resources. Whenever Council and staff do a stand up job in engaging us in the governance of our association, as they are doing now with the upcoming dues referendum, they deserve our support and serious consideration.

As some of you may recall...I spoke against the last referendum because I felt we, the members, were not engaged in its design enough (I felt member communications from CAEA were not great) and because it only contemplated a raise in one aspect of dues income. I felt this was inherently unfair to some CAEA members.

I feel the opposite on both issues during this current referendum. It is clearly being well communicated...our input is being sought thoroughly, universally and constantly throughout the process. Dues increases are being sought in both basic and working dues. It is a balanced and well considered request.

There is no doubt that the increase is needed if that which was started in 1913 is to continue to serve us, the whole membership of CAEA, in 2014 and beyond. I will vote yes. Please consider doing so too.

David Ferry
Member, Ontario

Dues Referendum 2014 - guest post

Hi. 

I would like to speak in favour of the Dues increase. I know, I know, believe me, I know. I know all the arguments for and against… and I can’t afford it either. However, after more than 14 years, I think it is about time. I believe they should have been raised every year in conjunction with the cost of living. I believe that is how it should be from here on.

I want you to understand where I am coming from, so let me tell you about me over the past couple of years… I haven’t worked, much. Sometimes I am in arrears and don’t always know from where the money will come from to pay my dues. My wife and I have a seven year old. Alison works as a Designer, a Stage Manager, and a general all-around technician (she has, of course, a Masters in Acting). That’s our life. Day to day, week to week, and month to month. It’s a struggle… We aren’t alone, this is nothing new…for too many of us.

I am not whining or complaining. We chose this career path, and there was more than enough evidence that it would be, to put it mildly, Hard. Yet, my dues are the first thing I pay… when I get money. Here’s why: for all of us.

I want us to be strong, as individuals and as a group within our society.

To be strong we need a working organisation; and it costs money run an office, to lobby, to negotiate with producers, to administer an association with 6000 members and handle many thousands of contracts and other documents each year, to have a national presence. That means we need to spend money. It can’t be the same amount we were spending 14 years ago. Every year prices go up… for everyone, not just us. If we don’t raise dues what will be the cost?

Equity's responsibility is response-ability: the consistent capacity to act effectively on our behalf. They can't do that without our help; that's our responsibility. Please support your association.

Cheers,

John O’Keefe
Member, Atlantic

Referendum Fast Fact - Are the two parts of the proposal linked?

Yes they are.

In deciding on a proposed basic dues rate, Council also had to consider the working dues rate, and vice versa. Together, they cover almost all association expenses, and the due proposal is a balanced increase in both. There was a pretty strong message in 2011 that the membership considered a two-part adjustment to be more equitable, and Council has delivered that.

Dues Referendum 2014 - vote early, vote often

I know I'm dating myself is saying this, but I have always been a big fan of Walt Kelly's comic strip Pogo. The title of this post is a crib of the habitual election-year rallying cry of his characters. To be clear, we don't actually allow you to vote often, but if you are a life or regular member in good standing, you do get to vote, and it's important that you do.

If you'll pardon the digression, I thought I'd use this post to give you a bit of behind-the-scenes insight into the voting habits of our membership. I find them kind of fascinating, and perhaps you will, too.

First out of the gate are the early voters. These are people who, one way or another, have already made up their mind on the matter at hand, and vote within a day or two of the polls opening. Read the voting instructions; log in online, or pick up the phone and dial; make the selection; done! These voters account for about one-quarter of the returns.

Then we move into the long, dark doldrums of the mid-vote lull; voting tails off pretty rapidly by the end of the first week. It doesn't seem to matter how long that middle period is - one week or three - the mid-vote turnout is always about the same, another 25%.

Then, bam! Fully half of all members wait to cast their ballot until the last week, with roughly one-third hanging on until the very last minute. These are the people who fascinate me most. Well, second-most. Were they just having trouble making up their minds? Were they waiting until some voice or point arose that really touched them, one way or the other? Or were they, like many of us I suspect, thinking I'll vote tomorrow…well, tomorrow…well, tomorrow…What?!…the vote closes tomorrow?! Who knows. All we know is that there are always a lot of them, and we're glad they got in under the wire.

The members who really do fascinate me the most are the ones who don't bother to vote. Depending on the topic, voting return rates vary between 25% and 38%. Most of our sister associations would kill for return rates that high (yes, you read that correctly), but it still means that as many as three-quarters of members are not exercising their right to vote.

Why? Or, more correctly, why not?

This is your association, and your vote is your voice. Let it be heard! If you think the proposal should pass, please let us know by voting for it - our Staff Psychic is on vacation. If you think the proposal shouldn't pass, we need to hear that, too. (Obviously, we encourage you to vote in favour, but the decision is yours.) 

I mean, come on: this vote is all about finances. You have already paid for the opportunity to vote, don't waste your own money.

And for those who think that their vote doesn't matter one way or another, let me tell you something. The only vote that doesn't matter is the one you don't cast.

Vote! Vote early, vote often once.

PS: Someday, I would love to be able to mention, in casual conversation with one of our sister organisations, that we had a 50% turnout for our last vote. (I'll ensure emergency medical personnel are standing by, just in case.) I can't make that kind of turnout happen, but you can.

Dues Referendum 2014 - voting opens today

Your association.
Your decision.
Your future.
Your voice.
Your vote.

If you are reading this post, and thinking "What referendum?" or "Where is my ballot?", call the national office for assistance. Details are here.

Referendum Fast Fact - What happens after 2018?

I received a question today, that I think others might have as well...

Part of the proposal is to freeze the new dues rates until at least 2018. Does this mean that the rates can be unilaterally changed by Council after that?

In a word, no. The bylaws say that Council can't change the dues without membership approval, end of story. The next time Council needs to revisit the rate, we'll have to hold another referendum, just like this time.

So, why specify 2018 in the first place? Council and staff have to plan finances well beyond the short term, and we know you do, too. Putting 2018 in bylaws is our commitment to you that we will not be seeking any further adjustments before then.

Got questions? Get answers!