Equity

Be proud of yourself as a union member because only together do we change the world of work for the better.

In the words of Equity President Lynda Rooke "We are proud and we are powerful."

❤️Happy #HeartsUnion week ❤️

If you’re not yet a member, join us today: www.equity.org.uk/join

Equity is proud to join Together Alliance, made up of 100s of civil society organisations representing over 7 million people united against division & the far-right.

Join us on Sat 28 March when we'll march with 1000s of people in London to show that love, unity and hope are stronger than hate.

UK performers are losing out on overseas work because of the heavy admin & financial burden of taking UK artists to the EU. Yesterday Equity's Head of Policy Tom Peters was in Parliament at the CMS select committee calling for changes to make touring easier for UK artists.

Equity and Manchester Village Pride to sign first ever UK union agreement for a Pride event Landmark agreement hoped to be the first of many for Pride events across the country

Equity will continue to pursue non-payments with liquidators and with Manchester City council for more than 50 members owed money from the 2025 event.

Find out more on our website:
👉 tinyurl.com/Equity-ManchesterVillagePride

This follows the news that Pride will return to Manchester in August 2026, with newly founded Manchester Village Pride Community Interest Company, run by village businesses and community stakeholders, set to deliver the event after the collapse of Manchester Pride Ltd in October 2025.

Equity is delighted to announce that Manchester Village Pride will be the first Pride event to sign a UK union agreement.

Equity's class network: Our manifesto A manifesto on increasing working-class representation in the arts, formed by working class members.

Read our manifesto on increasing working-class representation: www.equity.org.uk/campaigns-po...

Report sets out ‘blueprint for change’ to increase working-class representation in the arts Inquiry finds class should become protected characteristic and calls for rise in number of apprenticeships

The Class Ceiling report is right to call for changes to increase the number of working class people in the arts. For that to happen we need trade union agreements guaranteeing fair pay & conditions - only then will the arts be a feasible career for many

www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...

A group of approximately 20 people of diverse ages and backgrounds pose indoors in a blue-walled room. Most are seated or standing while holding up black posters with colorful text that reads, "MARCH FOR LOVE. FOR UNITY. FOR HOPE. TOGETHER" and "LOVE IS BACK." The bottom of the posters mentions a march on Saturday, 28th March in Central London. The atmosphere is collaborative and organized, with pamphlets and bags visible on the tables in the foreground.

A large, dense crowd of protesters gathered in a public square in front of historic stone buildings under an overcast sky. Many individuals are wearing beanies and winter coats. The crowd is a sea of signs and flags; prominent light blue flags feature the "National Education Union" logo, while participants hold numerous black posters with the slogans "HOPE IS BACK" and "MARCH FOR LOVE. FOR UNITY. FOR HOPE. TOGETHER."

A large group of activists stands together in a high-ceilinged hall with brick arches and pillars. In the center, a large purple banner for the "TUC London, East & South East" is held high. Every person in the group is holding a sign, creating a wall of black posters with bold pink and white text reading "UNITY IS BACK" or the multi-colored "MARCH FOR LOVE" design. The setting appears to be a formal meeting or community space, with several people in the front row smiling at the camera.

Organised. United. Ready to fill the streets with hope and unity.

Share this post to help spread the word. We are growing. We are building. We are #Together.

Today we remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust. We remember too, the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution & the genocides that have followed.

We stand united against hatred and prejudice today.

#HolocaustMemorialDay
www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/ho...

Equity stops Bristol arts cuts Bristol City Council will not cut Cultural Investment Programme for next 3 years

Equity win! 💪

Bristol City Council WILL NOT CUT Cultural Investment Programme for the next three years, following a campaign by Equity activists and local community groups👇

www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-win-bristol-city-council-will-not-cut-cultural-investment-programme-for-next-three-years

Union blasts 'concerning' Manchester Pride sale as it seeks council assurances 'Performers are getting a raw deal'

“There’s no Pride without performers, but performers are getting a raw deal,” Equity North-West Official Karen Lockney told the leader of Manchester City Council, in a letter this week.

Catch the story in the Manchester Evening News tinyurl.com/MEN-EQUITY-JAN26

Bids close today on the concerning sell-off of Manchester Pride’s brand assets. Meanwhile, performers are still waiting for thousands of pounds in unpaid fees from the 2025 event.

Where does the data go and who controls it?

In our current negotiations, Equity members are standing up for consent and control when it comes to AI including digital scanning on set.

Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming discusses the fight on the BBC’s The Media Show.

This is a free, informal get-together, open to Equity members and non-members alike. Just reserve a spot so we know you’re coming.

Illustrated poster for an Equity Directors and Designers Committee Social. The design shows rows of teal theatre seats with a warm peach background. Large teal text reads “Directors and Designers Committee Social.” Event details are displayed: 12th January, 6.30pm, the Old Vic backstage, 131 Waterloo Road SE1 8UR.

Directors and Designers, this is your invite!

Join us at the Old Vic Backstage this Monday to toast the new year, meet other directors and designers and tell us what you want from your trade union.

📣 Monday 12 Jan / 6.30pm / SE1 8UR

tinyurl.com/4rd8m3j9

We have concerns that you may have been denied your basic employment rights and you could therefore be owed a significant amount of money.

Text only graphic reads: "Have you worked for Squid Game: The Experience? If you are an Equity member who was recently engaged as a performer or stage management on Squid Game: The Experience by Luna Cinema/Luna Entertainment, please contact Equity with a copy of your contract at pmpp@equity.org.uk. We have concerns that you may have been denied your basic employment rights and you could therefore be owed a significant amount of money" The text is in lilac on a dark purple background.

IMPORTANT NOTICE 📣

If you are an Equity member who was recently engaged as a performer or stage management on Squid Game: The Experience by Luna Cinema/Luna Entertainment, please contact Equity with a copy of your contract at pmpp@equity.org.uk

As we start a brand new year, we look hopefully to the future. Hopeful for positive change, growth and improvement within the Arts, and for the continued support and community that @equityuk.bsky.social creates as a union.
#StrongerTogether

Film & TV performers say they would be prepared to take industrial action over AI in LANDSLIDE 99% vote | Equity Results of Equity's indicative ballot on AI protections for performers announced.

It’s a landslide! The results are in, and Equity members have made their position clear with a 99.6% YES vote. They are prepared and ready to take action to secure AI protections.

www.equity.org.uk/news/2025/pe...

Workforce again shut out of the Creative Industries Council | Equity Reacting to the DCMS and DBT announcement of the new members of the Creative Industries Council, Equity has slammed the lack of worker representation on the government advisory body, calling it a “dam...

The workforce has yet again been shut out of the Creative Industries Council.

Lack of worker representation on the government advisory body is a damaging snub & hamstrings the government’s own growth plans.

www.equity.org.uk/news/2025/workforce-again-shut-out-of-the-creative-industries-council

Maybe I’m from another age but allowing this is a step too far .
Vote YES - and save what little integrity we have left !

Government out of step with majority on AI, says Equity | Equity Equity has hailed the publication of the government’s consultation on copyright and artificial intelligence as “vindication for the creative industries” and urged the government to heed the “clear con...

The government must listen to the creative industries over AI. The results of their consultation shows 95% favour AI & copyright protections - government must heed the clear consensus on the need for protections.

www.equity.org.uk/news/2025/government-out-of-step-with-majority-on-ai-says-equity

Indicative ballot for AI protections | Equity Film and TV performers to vote on support for industrial action over artificial intelligence.

Our indicative industrial action ballot on the issue of AI protections for performers OPENS TODAY 🗳️

Film and TV performers: Vote YES to protect your AI rights.

www.equity.org.uk/campaigns-policy/indicative-ballot-for-ai-protections

Equity has described today’s Budget as a “damp squib” for the arts, warning that the Government has failed to deliver the meaningful support creative workers urgently need.

Read the full statement: www.equity.org.uk/news/2025/eq...

Positive Pride meeting with Manchester City Council | Equity Thursday saw a positive meeting take place between Manchester City Council and Equity focused on discussion about ways forward to support Pride performers who were left unpaid when Manchester Pride we...

📣Manchester Pride latest: Positive meeting with Manchester City Council📣

Following pressure from our members, Manchester City Council met with us to discuss the fallout from the liquidation of Manchester Pride, which left performers unpaid.

Read more: www.equity.org.uk/news/2025/po...

An Open Letter to Bristol City Council: Protect Independent Culture The Story So Far Bristol trades on its cultural reputation, yet after years of chronic underinvestment, the ecology that sustains the city’s creative life is beginning to break down. At present, the ...

Sign the open letter to Bristol City Council: bit.ly/bristolcultu...

Budget 2026 to 2027 consultation Please take the time to complete our survey. Your feedback is important.

Complete the Bristol City Council Budget Consultation: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Budget-202...

Stop Bristol City Council making devastating arts funding cuts ✂️

1.Complete the Council's Budget Consultation (by noon, 26 Nov) - Answer "Strongly Disagree" to Q17

2.Join the demo against the cuts, 26 November, College Green, from 11.30am

3.Sign the open letter

Links in comments

A great and galvanising day.
Thank you to everyone who attended.

#UnionContractsInGamingNOW
#GameOn