EQUITY CONFERENCE 2024 - BIRMINGHAM - 18-20 MAY
Equity Conference 2024 has now been confirmed to take place in Birmingham from Saturday 18 - Monday 20 May. We look forward to welcoming members from across the UK for three days to debate policy and engage with the union's industrial and campaigning work.
You can download the full timetable for the lead up to conference at the bottom of this page (including the deadlines for confirming motions and representatives).
EQUITY CONFERENCE 2023 - LONDON - 20-22 MAY
Equity Conference 2023 was held at the TUC's Congress Centre in London, 20-22 May, attended by 216 members, staff and invited guests.
Topics debated included self-taping, threats to drag artists, renewing the work around safe spaces, small venue closures, student membership, video games and arts cuts, including those affecting English National Opera.
A rally was held on the Saturday night in opposition to the mass closures of small venues across London and the whole UK, particularly LGBTQ+ venues. Closures had become all too frequent over the past decade due to many factors, but the problem had intensified over the past year as the cost of living crisis took its toll on small businesses and forced variety venues out of business up and down the country. The rally was hosted by Councillor Dan de la Motte and heard from speakers including President Lynda Rooke, Giovanni Bienne (LGBT+ Committee), Dian Cathal (comedian and Equity member), Dani Singer (Safe Only), Izzy Gibbin (Friends of the Joiners Arms), Gareth Forest (Campaigns Officer) and Paul W Fleming (General Secretary).
This year saw an expanded fringe, with nine events covering topics including the social model of disability, political attacks on the right to strike and celebrating activism across the union. Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, addressed the conference and spoke against the government's attacks on trade unionists through the new bill on minimum service levels, further undermining the right to strike. He also applauded the movement's unity in defending working people in all industries over this past year of industrial action.
A dinner was held at the British Medical Association on Tavistock Square, and Joseph Ballard, Summer Strallen and seven deputies from the English National Opera (represented by David John-Newman, Ronald Nairne and Amy Kerenza Sedgwick) were presented with Honorary Life Membership.