Equity and Independent Theatre Council Agree Pay Rises for Performers, Stage Managers and Creatives

Equity UK and the Independent Theatre Council have announced pay rises and improvements to working conditions for performers, stage managers and creatives.

Equity UK made the announcement on Twitter:

The announcements include salary rises for performers, stage managers, choreographers, designers and directors. There will also be increases on daily allowances for accomodation and meals.

The principal responsibility for accomodation will fall to producers. Currently, it is down to perfomers and creatives to source their own accomodation.

The announcements are as follows:

1. For performers and stage managers, there will be an increase to the minimum weekly salary of over 10% (rising from £494 to £545) and an increase to minimum daily fees by 20% (rising from £100 to £120).

2. For choreographers, designers and directors, there will be also be an increase of over 10% to fees.

3. A 20% uplift on meal, daily accommodation, and commuting allowances.

4. A major improvement to touring & relocation allowances which are to be combined into one living away allowance of £447.68 per week in London & £410 per week outside of London. This sees an uplift of over 30% on the existing touring allowance (which was £311.20 per week) & an uplift just under 250% on the London relocation allowance (which was £129 per week) & just over 290% on the relocation allowance outside of London (which was £104.80 per week).

5. Most significantly, the agreement makes clear that the principal responsibility for finding & providing accommodation sits with producers, meaning stressful extra labour for the workforce & the undignified situation of staying in unsanitary & unsafe conditions can be prevented.

Equity and The Independent Theatre Council have said the new agreement will come into force from April 2023.

Charlotte Jones, Chief Executive of ITC says: "ITC members have consistently articulated their strong belief in putting the well-being of their workforce first. Despite these incredibly challenging times for performing arts producers this community has recognised the importance of addressing the cost of living crisis and improving working conditions in the sector. Our conference in November focussed on well-being and I believe the newly improved minimum terms we have negotiated with Equity will provide the foundations to enhance the well-being of creative teams. Thank you to all the ITC managers who supported us in this process."

Karrim Jalali, Industrial Official for Equity says: "This was a different type of negotiation than unions typically face for collective agreements. ITC and its members with Ethical Manager Status actively stride to do as much as possible for the performer practitioner and creative workforces, and have consistently demonstrated their commitment to going above and beyond, both in engagements and in the negotiations for a revised agreement. It's a breath of fresh air to be working with these principles at the heart of the negotiations, and we're really proud of what we've achieved for our respective members despite the huge challenges imposed by the funding landscape. We hope that this will be a major influence on the industry as a whole. We'd like to say a sincere thank you to ITC and its Ethical Manager members who have worked so productively and fairly with us on these negotiations."

Alison King who has been participating in negotiations as the Chief Executive of Turtle Key Arts, a performing arts organisation renowned for embodying its commitment to accessibility and ITC Member with Ethical Manager Status, says: "It is so important, especially in this current climate for companies and producers to support performers, artists, stage management and creative teams in a fair way, ensuring good rehearsal, performing, and touring conditions. Wellbeing is crucial and should, along with best practice, be at the forefront. We were very pleased to assist and help in these negotiations and hope these go some ways to helping our sector."

Shenagh Govan, actor, Equity Councillor and member of Equity's working party for negotiations, says: "I'm pleased to say that the whole process from consultation and preparing the claim to the negotiation itself has encapsulated the priorities and experiences of Equity members on ITC Ethical Manager productions, including mine. It was great to have such warm and productive negotiations with ITC and its Ethical Manager members, and I hope our members are delighted with the results."

Equity is the performing arts and entertainment trade union. It is made up of more than 47,000 performers and creative workers, united in the fight for fair terms and conditions in the workplace. We are actors, singers, dancers, designers, directors, stage managers, puppeteers, comedians, voice artists, and variety performers.

ITC is the management association representing the independent performing arts sector. It is a community of over 450 companies and producers working in drama, dance, opera and musical theatre, mime and physical theatre, circus, puppetry, street arts and mixed media.

Image Credit: Equity & ITC

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