Paying basic dues is a principal responsibility under Equity’s Bylaws. They help ensure that the Association remains strong to continue the essential work of providing membership services, negotiating and administering collective agreements, protecting the members, and advocating on your behalf. None of this could be possible without the invaluable financial support of member dues.
Dues
Basic Dues
The annual basic dues are $200, invoiced twice a year as $100 on May 1st and $100 on November 1st.
Your invoice will be available in your myEquity account on May 1st and November 1st, every year. We’ll also email you a notice.
You have 3 months to pay your basic dues without any penalties.
Late Payment Penalty
After the 3-month deadline, a $15 penalty is applied, as per the Bylaws. Your member status will be changed to Arrears, and you will no longer be considered in Good Standing. That means you will not be able to work on an Equity contract or enjoy any of the other benefits of membership.
If you’re still in Arrears three months later – when the next dues invoice is issued – another $15 penalty will be applied. This will continue every three months until you clear your entire balance. You’ll also continue to be billed the basic dues.
Members who do not pay their basic dues for 8 consecutive dues billing periods will have their membership terminated.
How to Pay
Members can pay their Basic Dues via Online Banking, Credit Card, or Cheque.
Setting up a direct withdrawal via debit from your bank account is always an easy and efficient idea. It’s one less thing to think about and you won’t have to worry about updating your credit card information when it changes.
Paying via direct debit is also the most cost-effective method of payment for your Association.
Setting up automatic payments is simple and ensures you never find yourself in Arrears with a late payment penalty.
Automatic payments can be set up through bank debit or credit card – though bank debit is preferred by Equity.
To set up automatic payments, log in to your myEquity account.
Pay by online banking by adding ‘Canadian Actors’ Equity Association’ as a bill payee in your bank’s website. Be sure to use your Equity member number as your account number.
Equity can accept credit card payments from Visa and Mastercard only.
To make a payment via credit card, log in to your myEquity account.
Cheques can be mailed to: Equity, 44 Victoria Street, 12th floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3C4.
Be sure your name and Equity member number are clearly identified on the cheque. The cheque must be received before the payment deadline.
Working Dues
Members also pay 2.25% working dues when working under an Equity contract, further supporting the negotiation and administering of Equity’s collective agreements and engagement policies. Engagers deduct working dues from a member’s weekly fee (along with other benefit payments as applicable) and remit this directly to Equity on behalf of the member.
Temporary Withdrawal
If you won’t be working on an Equity contract for a minimum of one year and your membership is in Good Standing or Dues Payable, you can choose to temporarily freeze your membership by going on Temporary Withdrawal. The advantage is that you won’t be invoiced for basic dues while on Temporary Withdrawal. When you decide to reinstate your membership and return to Good Standing again, you’ll only need to pay any outstanding dues owed at the time of going on Temporary Withdrawal, a $25 administration fee, and the basic dues ($100) to cover the current dues period you’re reactivating your membership in.
While on Temporary Withdrawal, however, you will not be able to work on an Equity contract or enjoy any of the other rights of membership, including voting.
Dues Remission
Members who have demonstrated longevity in the industry and a longstanding commitment to their Association as a dues paying member of Equity may qualify for Dues Remission, a status which means they no longer have to pay basic dues.