As an Equity member, you must be on an Equity contract when working in the Association’s jurisdiction and you must be in Good Standing before signing an Equity contract.
Working as a Member
Agreement Issues
Members can contact an Equity Business Rep regarding any questions or concerns you may have about:
- Your contract
- Your collective agreement or engagement policy
- Payment of fees
- Workplace health and safety issues
Find your Business Rep
Not sure who your Business Rep is? Look them up by typing the name of the theatre and selecting the province below.
Health & Safety Issues
Emergencies
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
After business hours (9 am – 5 pm ET), please contact Equity at 416-867-9165 or TF at 1-800-387-1856 and follow the “in case of an emergency” prompts.
Respectful Workplace Issues
Members who have experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour in the workplace should speak to the Engager as soon as possible. The Engager has an obligation to be available and receptive to any concerns raised by workers and to investigate any incidents of inappropriate behaviour immediately.
If you have questions about your options for pursuing a complaint regarding inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, you can submit a disclosure to Equity and ask for an Equity Respectful Workplace Advisor to contact you.
Equity Minimums
The wages and working conditions negotiated in Equity’s collective agreements and set in the Association’s engagement policies are minimums. Your right to negotiate above those minimums is a core privilege of Equity membership.
Consider negotiating for:
Increased fees (consider your expertise or specialization; scope of project; repeated engagements; out of town gig; other offers; profile of show, or just ask for more…)
Better accommodations
Higher per diem
Billing and credit
Additional artistic considerations, such as: scope of your prep work, role in play development, extra rehearsal days, a better schedule, etc.
Access/inclusion needs, including but not limited to on-site childcare, nursing room, babysitter costs, provisions for family to accompany you, non-stairs route to workplace, specialized copy of script, non-gendered bathroom, allergies, health/wellness considerations, religious/cultural needs (fasting, prayer, dates of respite)
Car service, cab chits, parking, bus pass, bicycle
More comps
Working Without an Equity Contract
Equity may grant an Artist permission to work “without reference” to an Equity contract—meaning without:
- Minimum fees
- Contractual protections
- Insurance coverage
- RRSP contributions
- Working dues
Only an Artist can request permission to work without an Equity contract—not an Engager—and permission is not automatic or guaranteed. An Artist must not accept a role or position without an Equity contract before receiving approval from Equity.