Performers and stage management across the West End have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action and to back Equity’s claim in negotiations, in an indicative ballot aimed at moving talks forwards. The union says producers “must wake up to the real possibility of a summer of strikes unless offers are improved.”
Indicative ballot results:
- 98% of current West End workers voted YES to supporting strike action on an 89% turnout
- 99% of all West End workers from the past three years voted YES to back Equity’s claim on a 78% turnout
- Equity will move to a statutory ballot for strike action if an improved offer is not made
West End workers have spoken loud and clear: they’re demanding better pay and conditions and are prepared to move to strike action to secure them
Paul W Fleming, Equity General Secretary
Commenting on the ballot results, Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming said:
“West End workers have spoken loud and clear: they’re demanding better pay and conditions and are prepared to move to strike action to secure them.
“This is a resounding result in an unprecedented ballot. Never before has Equity asked members to back our position in negotiations in this way, but they have stepped up and rightly expect their pay and conditions to improve. The West End is internationally renowned, and these world class stages should pay world class wages, not leave workers needing second jobs to pay their bills or burnt out by six day weeks and insufficient holiday.
“SOLT and the producers must wake up to the real possibility of a summer of strikes unless offers are improved.”
Better pay and conditions
Almost 3,000 performers and stage management were asked to vote in a consultative ballot to say whether they backed Equity’s revised claim for 7% pay increases each year for three years, along with better holiday provision, full incapacity pay for those injured on shows, and specialist payments for roles like fight captain, social media captain and for stage management covering additional duties. This is the claim Equity has put to SOLT (Society of London Theatre) in flagship three-yearly West End negotiations.
Q: Do you back Equity’s claim?
Result: 99% YES vote on a 78% turnout
Attitude towards strike action
More than 850 members (performers and stage management) currently working in the West End were asked to vote in an online indicative ballot on the question of whether they are prepared to take strike action on Saturdays if an improved offer isn’t received.
Q: Are you prepared to take strike action?
Result: 98% YES vote on an 89% turnout
The ballot is indicative – or consultative – only. A further statutory ballot could follow which would form the legal basis for industrial action on the West End. Equity has informed SOLT of the outcome of the ballot and hopes to enter constructive talks to move the negotiations forwards.
