Equity
Equity is the only trade union to represent artists across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. Formed in 1930 by a group of performers in London’s West End, Equity quickly spread across the whole of professional entertainment. Today our membership includes actors, singers, dancers, choreographers, stage managers, theatre directors and designers, variety and circus artists, television and radio presenters, walk-on and supporting artists, stunt performers and directors and theatre fight directors. Equity is not politically affiliated and so does not make payments to any political party. We are however affiliated to the Trades Unions Congress and Equity delegates attend the annual TUC conference as a means of bringing performers' issues to a wider audience.The main function of Equity is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment throughout the entire world of entertainment and to endeavour to ensure these take account of social and economic changes. We look to the future as well, negotiating agreements to embrace the new and emerging technologies which affect performers so satellite, digital television, new media and so on are all covered, as are the more traditional areas. We also work at national level by lobbying government and other bodies on issues of paramount importance to the membership. In addition we operate at an international level through the Federation of International Artists which Equity helped to establish, the International Committee for Artistic Freedom and through agreements with sister unions overseas.
In addition to these core activities, Equity strives to provide a wide range of services for members and so they are eligible for a whole host of benefits of belonging which are continually being revised and developed.
Through Equity's website you can get information on how to join, Equity subscriptions and more information about our work in Film, Television and Radio and Theatre and Variety. But if you prefer to speak to someone then please move to the contacts page and give us a call.
