NEGOTIATION
The APFTQ, on behalf of the independent production sector, negotiates all collective agreements with artists’ associations and technicians’ unions recognized under the Act respecting the Professional Status and Conditions of Engagement of Performing, Recording and Film Artists. Nine collective agreements and four agreements on the collection of union dues are currently in effect.
List of APFTQ collective agreements (French)
CONSULTING SERVICES
The APFTQ provides free professional consultation for members on interpreting and applying all of its industrial relations agreements. When grievances arise over application of the collective agreements, the APFTQ may assume the cost and handle the procedures, in part or in whole, if deemed to serve the interests of all members. Similarly, it may lodge employer grievances in matters of common interest.
We devote substantial resources to industrial relations with an eight-member team – five members of the Quebec Bar as well as two legal technicians – some of whom also have production experience. The membership is frequently consulted on industrial matters and involved in negotiating committees and expanded advisory committees. The Industrial Relations committee named by the board of directors guides APFTQ policy in this area.
CRAAAP
Pursuant to the Act respecting the Professional Status and Conditions of Engagement of Performing, Recording and Film Artists, the APFTQ has applied for recognition by the Commission de reconnaissance des associations d’artistes et des associations de producteurs (CRAAAP). The APFTQ is seeking recognition in the field of independent audiovisual production, excluding multimedia, amateur, pornographic and corporate production. Application hearings are currently under way.
The APFTQ also represents the membership on matters of general interest under CRAAAP jurisdiction, such as applications for recognition by artists’ associations. Questions concerning existing recognitions arise frequently, and in each case we see to it that our members’ concerns are made known.
POLICY AND LEGISLATION
The APFTQ monitors new federal and provincial legislation to ensure that it is compatible with established production practices in Quebec. It also ensures that the various policies adopted by industry partners are in line with the norms of its collective agreements. As needed, it lobbies government departments, broadcasters and funding agencies to take these agreements into account.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
The APFTQ sits on the joint committee of the Commission de la santé et sécurité du travail (CSST), the provincial occupational health and safety board. This involves participation in developing health and safety guidelines for film and television production. We provide our members with a production safety information kit and keep them abreast of developments in this area.
