Benefits of Membership
Pay and Conditions
Minimum terms and conditions across the entertainment industry and guidelines for work in areas where there are no representative bodies. Working under Equity terms is the best protection you can have. Members must discuss with us, before signing, contracts for any overseas work, including dance and cruises. We also advise members working on non-Equity contracts.
Equity Card
Being a member makes a positive statement about your commitment to your vocation and your place in the industry. Your Equity card is a universally recognised symbol of your status as a professional.
Your Professional Name
We reserve this as long as it is not used by another member. Names are crucial for the distribution of royalties and other payments and casting clarity.
Representation
We represent members individually or collectively in disputes with employers.
Help and Advice
We advise members and/or their agents whether it be about contracts and conditions for working in the UK or overseas or areas of the business that are new to you. Your local Equity branch can also be of help in some matters.
Campaigns
Successful national and international lobbying of employers, governments and other bodies on a wide range of issues that affect you and the industry.
Royalties and Other Payments
Each year Equity distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds in payments for use of members’ work in television and film re-runs, sales of DVDs, videos and audio recordings, e.g. cast albums.
Contract Enforcement
Where it is believed that there are outstanding royalties and/or residuals from productions made on Equity contracts, we investigate, recover and distribute these monies. We also monitor developments in intellectual property rights.
Legal Support
Free legal advice and support in disputes over professional engagements including contracts and personal injury claims. If we take on a case we pay the legal fees and the member receives the full amount of any award given by the court. To register a personal injury claim there is a 24hour free phone. We also provide assistance with personal legal matters such as wills, probate and conveyancing.
Bullying Reporting Line
If you are experiencing bullying at work, members can let us know by calling the reporting line.
Tax and Welfare Support
Free advice on National Insurance, tax, Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), welfare benefits and pensions. If necessary we take cases on behalf of members to tribunals. Equity Guides to tax, NI and JSA are available in print and online. We have a strong track record of success and run a helpline two days per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Public Liability Insurance (PLI)
Equity members automatically have up to £10 million in PLI. For many members this is an essential protection for their working lives and this cover provides unbeatable value. (Please note stage hypnotist members can get PLI but have to contribute substantially to the premium). There is subsidised top-up cover available for Fire Artists which costs £26.25 per year.
Accident and Backstage Insurance
Equity members are automatically covered for accident and backstage insurance which operates overseas as well as in the UK if you are usually resident in the UK. It provides support if you are unable to work due to an accident and should not be confused with personal injury compensation (see Legal Support).There is also extra accident insurance for dancers which costs £10.50 per year.
Equity Members’ Personal Pension
The only scheme into which theatre, radio and tv employers pay. You need to take out an individual policy so you can give the number to employers.
Dance Passport
This provides Equity dancers and choreographers access to support and services from unions throughout Europe.
Job Information Service
Up-to-date, accurate information on real, paid work opportunities across the industry. You cannot access the service if your Equity subscriptions are not up-to-date. To use the service you must have registered to use the Members Area of the website by following the link on the Members Log in page.
Digs List
This is held at head office and is in the Members’ Area of www.equity.org.uk. To add to the list please email the details to info@equity.org.uk
Publications
The quarterly Equity Magazine has news and articles and we publish other publications, including Review of the Year, Guides, Diary and standard contracts.
This website
The site has hundreds of pages of news, information and documents plus the Job Information Service, Directories, Factsheets and Campaign updates. It is also a gateway to the wider industry via the Links pages. The Members’ and Student Members’ Areas have detailed information, contracts, copies of insurance policies, a discussion board and much more. You can also pay your subscription online if you are within 13 weeks of your expiry date.
On line Directories
There are a now a number of these within the website including actors, entertainers and creative team. Members submit their details directly via the Members’ Area of the website and can also edit their entries. Other online directories such as Walk on and Supporting artists have been done in partnership with Spotlight and can be found at www.spotlight.com. Equity branch websites also have online directories of branch members.
Your Network
Equity is made up of thousands of creative people from every genre, age and many cultures. Our structures give you the opportunity to network and to share and benefit from members’ experience and support. You can also join in on the online forum or get involved with our Facebook and other social networking groups. Our highly experienced regional and national professional staff are also available to you for advice and support.
Careers Advice
Members and student members can use our heavily discounted one-to-one Careers and Learning Advice Service in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Or, you get advice free of charge by email.
Workshops and Training
Equity has resources on three CD roms which are free for members and student members (Arts Administration, Business Skills, Marketing). We support the Actors’ Centres which provide programmes of short courses in professional development and we run workshops. . Members have helped develop workshop programmes in Wales and S.W England. There is training support for Equity Deputies and Equity Ambassadors, Equality Reps and members of committees and branches. We also have joint resources with sister unions for our Union Learning Reps.
Health and Safety
Equity monitors health and safety legislation, advises the Health and Safety Executive, financially supports the Healthier Dancer Programme and provides H & S guidelines and advice for members. Members should always call us if you have an accident at work and put the details in the venue’s Accident Book.
Medical Support (BAPAM)
If you need help with any performance related medical, psychological or dental problem, Members can also get discounts on the cost of BUPA.
Charities
The Equity Benevolent Fund (EBF) makes grants to members facing financial hardship and the Evelyn Norris Trust (ENT) provides support towards rest, recuperation and convalescence. Equity’s International Committee for Artists Freedom (ICAF) and the International Performers Aid Trust (IPAT) help performers and venues overseas. Members can also call on the Equity Charitable Trust for help. We are grateful to those members who leave bequests to our charities in their wills.
Discounts
These are available to Equity members and Student Members on a wide range of goods and services.
Union Energy
The TUC has set up Union Energy to give union members a good deal on mains gas and electricity. The agreement is with Scottish Power.
Equity Credit Card
Offers competitive rates for members.
Agents' Information Service
Agents and industry organisations subscribe to get regular updates about Equity Agreements, rates.