Equity

[Jellybabies]

I was just wondering who on here is a member of Equity? and how useful/ are there any benefits of being on it? thanks!

[pg]

I am a member. I regard it as insurance cover to be honest. It does literally provide Public Liability Insurance as part of full membership, but it is more for the "what if" occasions such as "what if I am having difficulty getting paid?" "what if I need legal advice?". There will be someone in Equity with experience and advice for me to turn to.

You can't join until you're 14 and you have to have had paid employment or to have trained on an accredited course to become a member.

If I'm honest, I am less and less convinced of its standing as a Union. I think it could learn a lot from Bectu and the Musician's Union. However, it's better than nothing and there are a lot of people within it who work hard. I shall probably continue to pay my subs, albeit a little grudgingly sometimes! I think many of the people who run it are completely out of touch with those at the beginning of their careers and have very little experience or knowledge of the "work for no pay" culture which threatens actors' livelihoods. Despite quite a lot of correspondence on this issue, Equity largely ignores this problem which I think is a big mistake.

The Union doesn't really have much clout in the workplace now as far as I can see.

[paulears]

100% agree with pg. Equity have NO interest in beginners, although are happy to take their membership fees. I was a member but let it lapse and have not regretted it at all. being a member gives you some insurance, and that's what many people use it for. They also have a pension system that allows you to pay in when you're working and not have to pay in when you're not.

Much of my professional work is in shows with dancers, and I've always thought they get a really bad deal. In my own area we have plenty of holiday centres, who are reducing contract periods, dropping pay, increase accommodation and food contributions, and their attitude is take it or leave it. Equity seem to have just forgotten about performers like this. Stage management also have similar problems and there are many jobs on offer at way below union rate and they don't seem interested. On top of this, some of the 'top turns' are also lapsing, because they pay considerably more, yet get the same support. The crazy thing is that Equity only seem to be interested in 'high' art, not general entertainment, which is where many newcomers start. They don't seem to want to actually get involved with low pay and poor conditions - and that seems to be something a real union should be doing.

[shortguy]

Interestingly Equity arrived on set while my son was filming yesterday to have a chat with those at the "bottom" and not members of Equity. He was given a card entitled "Equitys walk on & Supporting Artists committee" It mentions that they are specialising in taking action to promote and protect the rights of professional artists working in this sector. So maybe something is happening

[Coco]

When I was a young girl, I remember people saying that you couldn't get work without having an equity card and it was quite difficult to get one. Obviously that's not the case now, but just out of interest, how and why did it change ?

[islandofsodor]

Becasue closed shops became illegal in all industries.

[Jellybabies]

do you think it is good to be a member just for the reputation , if you get what i mean?

[paulears]

I have to arrange a meeting like the one mentioned above, where Equity tell the newcomers how good they are. Success rate is very. very low. To young people, talk about pensions is wasted - even though the Equity deal is actually good. A few times they've asked the rep about problems they've had in the past and asked if they could have helped. The rep honestly answered ......no.

If you think £100 a year is worth it, it cannot hurt to join, but in turn of getting something back, my BECTU membership is much better, as is membership of the MU, who really do work for their members and have genuine power - which Equity don't have. Nobody cares if you have a card now.