Welcome to Equity

Equity is the UK Trade Union representing professional performers and other creative workers from across the spectrum of the entertainment, creative and cultural industries. In this site you will find a wide range of information including rates of pay, how to join Equity, contacts, careers advice and how you can get involved in helping theatres and companies at risk. Equity members can find more detailed information including individual contacts, Equity agreements, legal help, welfare and tax advice, how to take an active role in Equity and work opportunities, and can update directory details. If you are a Student member you should log in to get extra information.

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News Clips

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Equity's Annual Representative Conference

The Arts Council England's funding debacle, the steep decline in work in variety clubs and the need for more professional training for Equity members will be just three of the debates at this year's Equity Annual Representative Conference.

On 18 and 19 May Equity members from all over the country and across the world of entertainment will gather in London to review last year's work and set targets and priorities for Equity for the next 12 months.

Click below to download a copy of the full agenda.

Working as a Performer Survey

Equity is urging all performers to complete this online survey which will collect data to show the effects of a performer’s age, gender and other social identities on their access to employment. This is the biggest survey of its kind and these findings will be used as the basis for negotiation with employers, funding bodies and governments to help us improve opportunities throughout your career.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE RE: Equity Talent Krest Union

We have had enquiries about “Equity Talent Krest Union” and also the Psalm Talent Agency. Please be aware that neither of these have any connection to us (Equity, trade union). We are taking legal advice on this matter and any member with either information or queries about either or both of these companies should please contact our legal department on 020 7670 0225.

    Model Radio

    On Saturday, April 12th at 10:30am on BBC Radio 4 Supermodel Erin O'Connor opened the doors to the dynamic and controversial world of fashion in Erin's Model World. Erin was one of the models who lobbied Equity to bring models into membership and she talked about this in the programme and why models need a union.

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    Equity accuses Endemol of breaking the law by not paying contestants on The One And Only

    Endemol, producer of hit BBC tribute act show The One And Only, has broken the law by refusing to pay their contestants at least the national minimum wage, according to legal advice obtained by Equity.

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    West End Meeting Rejects SOLT Revised “Best Offer”

    At a packed open meeting of cast and stage management working in the West End at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, SOLT’s revised “Best” offer was considered in detail by those present and rejected.

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    New agency law is a "missed opportunity"

    Equity, the trade union representing people working in the entertainment industry, believes that new rules designed to protect aspiring actors, performers and models are a “missed opportunity”.

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    Telling a tale

    Equity is working closely with professional storytellers to increase the involvement of the union in this area of work.

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    Time to act on public service TV

    Equity, the trade union representing people working in the entertainment industry, today welcomed the publication of Ofcom’s second major review of public service broadcasting (PSB). But it warned that it was time to start putting words into action, to ensure that the demands of viewers for high-quality UK programmes could be met in future.

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    Equity Student Bursary Launched

    Equity has introduced two bursaries of £500 each, to be awarded annually, starting this year. The scheme is funded by donations from Equity Life Members who wish to help support talented younger people at the start of their professional careers in the entertainment industry.

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    New Events Fund for Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland Culture Minister Edwin Poots, has launched a funding stram of £1.6 million for events. The money is dividied into the Events Growth Fund and the Major Events Fund.

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    Have your say - Equity's survey on arts funding

    In the wake of a bruising few months which has seen Arts Council England forced to back down on some of its plans to cut grants to theatre in the face of unprecedented anger from the theatrical world, Equity has launched a nationwide survey to discover members' views on how the funding system ought to work.

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    Equity steps up TV credits campaign

    Equity is stepping up the campaign to persuade the broadcasters to end the practice of scrolling TV credits too fast and squashing them into the corner of the screen.

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    Equity Successful in Getting Funding

    Equity has again been successful in getting financial support from the Union Modernisation Fund.

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    Summer Recharge - Workshops for Equity Actors in Wales

    Following Spring Recharge 2008 the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama together with Equity present Summer Recharge 2008. These workshops, which will be held in Cardiff, Caernarfon and Mold throughout April, May and June, offer professional actors a unique opportunity to continue with their professional training and artistic development working with experienced, professional practitioners.

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    Creative Programmers for 2012 Olympics

    The London Olympics have now got in place 13 Creative Programmers who are based around the UK and are the first point of contact for ideas, projects and organisations that fit the values of the Cultural Olympiad.

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    Has your MP signed up to the arts funding Early Day Motion?

    Working with MPs on the Performers’ Alliance Parliamentary Group, Equity has managed to get an Early Day Motion tabled in the House of Commons which addresses the arts funding crisis. We are now calling on members to lobby their MP to sign up to it.

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    In Need of Careers Advice?

    Thanks to external funding from the Union Learning Fund, Equity and Skillset have been able to train Careers and Learning Advisors.

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    Save Kids TV Campaign and Petition

    Equity and other industry organisations are supporting the Save Kids Tv Campaign to persuade the Government to acknowledge the value of children's television, and protect it in the face of growing financial pressures.

    Television is Changing

    It is impossible to deny the speed and strength of the changes sweeping through the television industry. A decade ago the idea of watching television programmes broadcast to mobile phones or being able to carry around months' worth of your favourite shows on a player small enough to fit in your pocket was the stuff of science fiction. Today, though, the public take for granted the fact that they can watch television when, where and how they want.

    The whole industry will have to adapt and Equity is leading the way. Our Television is Changing campaign will guide members through the complex issues raised and allow you to have your say in this important debate.

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