Understanding collective agreements and pay rates

What are collective agreements? 

A collective agreement is an agreement between workers and bosses that regulates minimum rates of pay, terms and conditions of work. Collective agreements are a way for workers to negotiate collectively (through trade unions) to establish and enforce improved working conditions. Without these agreements, the only protections that workers have are statutory entitlements such as National Minimum Wage and basic health and safety legislation.  

What are Equity agreements? 

Equity holds a number of collective agreements throughout the entertainment industry. These are negotiated between Equity (representing workers), and either individual employers or management associations (such as UK Theatre or PACT) which represent a number of employers, engagers or producers.  

In recorded media, we have agreements with the BBC, ITV, SKY and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact). We also have agreements with the major streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Apple+. We currently hold one collective agreement in the videogames industry – with OMUK – but are fighting to secure union contracts throughout the sector. 

In the live performance sector, we have agreements with SOLT (the Society of London Theatre), UK Theatre, ITC (Independent Theatre Council) that cover performers and stage managers, theatre directors, designers and choregraphers. We also hold a number of house agreements with individual theatres and production companies. Sometimes, the Commercial Theatre Agreement is referred to in contracts issued by producers who are not members of UK Theatre. They will use some  – but not always all – of the minimum terms our agreement sets out. 

It’s important to make sure your engager is using an Equity contract, which then makes contractual all of the clauses in the collective agreement. If your engager doesn’t do this, the terms in the agreements do not necessarily apply and you can’t rely on them.

What is a ‘minimum terms’ agreement? 

Equity agreements do not prevent employers from paying above the negotiated minimum salaries or offering improved terms to any member of the company. This applies to every financial or other provision in the agreement, not just the minimum weekly rate of pay. 

Who is covered by Equity agreements? 

Different agreements establish minimum terms and conditions for different groups of workers.  

In theatre, performers and stage management are generally covered by the same overall agreement, while there are separately negotiated agreements for directors, designers and choreographers.  

In Opera and Ballet, there are separately negotiated standalone agreements for different types of performance work (e.g. actors, singers, dancers) and stage management. 

You do not need to be an Equity member to work on an Equity contract.

How are agreements negotiated? 

Equity agreements are negotiated for a defined period, usually two or three years. When negotiations are due to take place, Equity members who have worked on the agreement  since it was last re-negotiated are consulted on priorities and invited to become involved in the negotiating process via working parties.  

The final decision on whether to accept a new agreement is made by Equity members. When an offer is received from the bosses, you are balloted on any proposed changes, which can only be agreed if a majority of members are in favour.  

Do Equity agreements cover non-members? 

Equity agreements apply to all relevant workers regardless of whether they are a member of the union. Your employer cannot require you to disclose your trade union membership, or treat you differently based on whether or not you are a member of a trade union. 

While non-members can benefit from the minimum terms negotiated by Equity, they ultimately weaken the union’s ability to improve terms and conditions. The more members we have in workplaces, the stronger position we are in to win better deals.  

What about sectors where Equity doesn’t have collective agreements?  

Commercials 

Currently, Equity does not have a collectively bargained agreement with the IPA (the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) or the APA (Association of Producers in Advertising), although we are in discussions with the IPA. Historically, there were collective agreements but after a dispute in the 1990s, this was dissolved. However, what we do have is a set of guidance on minimum terms and conditions in Commercials between Equity, the IPA and the APA called the “Agreed Document for Employment of Artists Working in Commercials.” We also have a set of minimum recommended fees for artists agreed with the IPA and a scale for linear TV usage on Usefee.tv. 

Singers

There are currently some areas of Singing work not covered by Equity Agreements. Equity is fighting to change this via negotiating collective agreements, developing charters of best practice, and providing template contracts for areas where individuals generally negotiate their own rates. To see more about our organising work with singers, and what we can achieve collectively, see the singers manifesto.    

Variety

Artists performing their own variety acts - which could be as singers, dancers, street performers, jugglers, compères, magicians, children's entertainers, circus acts, comedians, burlesque artists, storytellers -  would generally negotiate their own rates and can use one of Equity’s template contracts for bookings if they wish. 

Video games 

Equity currently does not currently hold collective agreements in the video  games industry, but is fighting to change this. Read about our work fighting for union contracts in video games. The union has though published guideline minimum rates for video games in lieu of a collective agreement. These are advisory from the union and have not been agreed with employers but are rates that we believe reflect the industry standard at the time. Again, these are recommended or advisory minimums. 

Check Equity rates and agreements

Find pay rates, agreements, contracts, terms and working conditions for TV, film, theatre, audio, video games, variety and commercials.