Benefits of Membership
Pay and Conditions
Equity negotiates minimum terms and conditions with employers across all areas of the entertainment industry. Copies of contracts and agreements are available from Equity Offices for a small charge.
Help and Advice
We can help you throughout your career, offering a range of services as well as advice. Our staff have detailed, specialist knowledge and are happy to give advice to members and their agents on contracts and terms of engagement.
Equity Card
The universally recognised symbol of your status as a professional in the entertainment industry
Legal Advice
Free legal advice on disputes over professional engagements including personal injury claims.
Welfare Advice
Free advice on National Insurance, taxation, benefits, pensions and welfare issues.
Publications
Our quarterly magazine is sent free of charge to all members, keeping you in touch with Equity initiatives and activities. We also produce a wide range of information leaflets which are always available to members.
Medical Support
All members can use the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine helplines and clinics to access advice and information on performance-related medical, psychological and dental problems.
Royalties and Residuals
We distribute royalties, residuals and other payments to members for tv and film re-runs, video sales and sound recordings.
Registers
Equity compiles a large number of specialist registers which are made available to casting directors and employers.
Job Information
Equity members can access a service giving them information on job availability across the industry.
Campaigns
We campaign vigorously on behalf of our members on a wide range of national, local and specialist issues and we have a strong track record of success.
Your Professional Name
We reserve your choice of professional name when you join Equity, as long as it is not already in use by another member.
Insurance
Public liability of up to £10million, backstage cover and accident cover are available free to all members as long as they are in benefit. Call First Act Insurance on 0208 686 5050 for more information.
Rights, Copyright and New Media
Equity monitors national and international developments in intellectual property rights, campaigning for adequate recognition of performers' statutory rights.
Charities
We run two charities, the Equity Benevolent Fund and the Evelyn Norris Trust which exist to help members in times of trouble, call 0207 379 6000 for more information. Equity also supports other organisations which provide help specifically for performers.
Pensions
Successful negotiations by Equity in 1997 saw the launch of the Equity Pension Scheme. Initially it catered for members working mainly in television, but further negotiations meant that by January 2001 the scheme had been expanded to include actors, actresses and stage management working in theatre. Now SOLT Managements, the RNT, the Globe, Walt Disney Theatrical (UK), the RSC, Subsidised Repertory Theatre and Commercial Theatre Managers and QDOS Entertainment are all party to the scheme. This means that the majority of theatre engagements will benefit from contributions made by the employers to the Equity Pension Scheme. This mirrors the situation in television where as a result of Equity's negotiations, all ITV Television companies, all PACT & TAC TV companies and BBC Television and BBC Radio make contributions to the Equity Pension policies of actors and stunt performers.
Discounts
Equity members are entitled to discounts on a range of services and goods including hotels, car breakdown recovery, ticket prices and others.