What is Equity?

Equity is the only Trade Union to represent artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. Formed in 1930 by a group of West End of London performers and later merging with the Variety Artistes Federation which had been established in 1906, Equity quickly spread to encompass the whole range of professional entertainment so membership includes actors, singers, dancers, variety and circus artists, choreographers, stage managers, theatre directors and designers, television and radio presenters, walk-on and supporting artists, stunt performers and directors and theatre fight directors.

Although it is a Trade Union, Equity is not politically affiliated and so does not make payments to any political party. This puts Equity in the strong position of being able to lobby with impunity governments of all political colours. It is, however, affiliated to the Trades Unions Congress and Equity delegates attend the annual TUC conference as a means of bringing performers' issues to a wider audience.

The main function of Equity is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment throughout the entire world of entertainment and to endeavour to ensure these take account of social and economic changes. We look to the future as well, negotiating agreements to embrace the new and emerging technologies which affect performers so satellite, digital television, new media and so on are all covered, as are the more traditional areas. Equity Agreements covers such things as auditioning, minimum rates or pay/fees ("Equity minimums") health and safety, hours, breaks, holiday pay, grievance procedure and many other items which makes working under Equity terms the best protection and artist can have.

Equity works at national level by lobbying government and other bodies on issues of paramount importance to their membership eg. Agency Regulations, Public Entertainment Licensing, funding for British filmmaking, funding for Regional Theatre and other topics. In addition the union operates at an international level through the International Federation of Artists which Equity helped to establish, the International Committee for Artists' Freedom and through agreements with their sister unions overseas.

In addition to these core activities, Equity strives to provide a wide range of services for its members and so they are eligible for a whole host of benefits which are continually being revised and developed. These include helplines, Job Information Service, free insurance cover, member's pension scheme and others.

Members join their local Equity Branch and these form an important network throughout the UK allowing members to share experiences and put their views forward to the union. Branch Secretaries can also give local advice.

To obtain full Equity membership and get an Equity card, applicants have to be able to provide proof (contracts, pay slips etc) of professional employment within the entertainment industry. Entry criteria depend on the area of the industry in which the applicant has worked. There is also a Student Membership Scheme for people on a full-time course of one year or longer at a higher level (HND or higher), which prepares people to work in the industry as a performer or creative practitioner such as a director, designer or stage management. Full information on How to Join and application forms are available by clicking here.