Meetings have taken place in several trade unions following on from a 1,000-strong ‘Trade unionists for a new party’ meeting hosted by former Labour MP Dave Nellist on 21 July. We carry here the report of the meeting of Equity members. The full model motion for Equity members to use, and reports and motions from the other meetings, can be read on the website of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition tusc.org.uk
How can arts workers achieve a voice in politics accountable to us? This was the question addressed at an open meeting for members of performing arts union Equity on 18 October via Zoom.
Equity has moved to a more fighting stance under its present leadership. The West End dispute in 2023 won its strike ballot – and major concessions without even taking strike action. The meeting agreed the union now needs to build on it in regional theatre, including preparing members to strike if needed.
But struggles including fighting the threat of AI, and employment directory Spotlight’s extortionate fees for performers, have not won improvements. Equity members clearly need a political voice accountable to us if we want legislation in our favour. The meeting agreed ‘Your Party’ represented a big potential opportunity for this and Equity should try to seize it.
Manchester and both London branches were represented, with several members of Equity Council, the union’s executive, expressing interest but unable to attend. We agreed model motions on a political voice for arts workers, and the ongoing regional theatre negotiations.
Our rulebook lets Equity “work with others whose aims are the same or similar to the Union’s… providing that the Union does not affiliate to any political party”.
Extract from the model motion:
We urge Council to:
1. Invite ‘Your Party’ leaders, and consider also inviting Green and other suitable leaders, to a Council meeting – to explore ways for Equity, without affiliation and through our democratic structures, to collectively contribute our knowledge and demands at local and national levels.
2. Write to the executives of other unions examining these issues – which include BFAWU, RMT, UCU and Unite – to open discussion on a political voice accountable to trade unionists.
3. Open a process of discussion at all levels of the union on how to hold political representatives (including the “Performers’ Alliance” group) accountable to Equity policy – and on establishing a dedicated political fund, not linked to affiliation but to selectively supporting candidates fighting for Equity policy.
4. Encourage Equity members to stand in May’s local elections – not recommending any party label, but only that they pledge to vote against all austerity cuts and in line with Equity policy.
