A trade union is formed when workers join together to pursue policies and goals beneficial to one and all. In other words, a union is you and your fellow workers, acting together to better your everyday working conditions.
'Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. As a leading industry organisation, Equity is known and respected nationally and internationally for the work we do with, and on behalf of, our members working across all areas of the entertainment industry.'
Unions are important as they assist performers or creatives with the following:
- Negotiates
- Organises
- Campaigns and lobbies
- Supports
- Protects
- Influences
- Provides Services
- Listens
- Advises
- Takes action
- Is a community
Equity fight to gain more better working conditions for people working within the performing and production arts industry. This can include increasing the minimum pay for workers.
Equity can find themselves mainly representing performers however they will also represent people such as Assistant Stage Managers and Deputy Stage Managers. It is important to be involved with a union as they help provide any extra help if anything should go wrong or if you as an individual needed support.
Bectu (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph & Theatre Union)
They Represent the Staff, Contract and Freelance workers in the United Kingdoms Industry. Bectu are known to support these workers in a number of ways, including:
Bectu will represent most people involved with theatre and working behind the scenes these may include: Front of House Manger, Lighting Designer and Set Designer. Its important for people to be involved with unions wether they work free lance or if they have a contract as they can not only help you individually with giving you advice or any extra support they can help improve working conditions to ensure their wellbeing.
They Represent the Staff, Contract and Freelance workers in the United Kingdoms Industry. Bectu are known to support these workers in a number of ways, including:
- Negotiating pay, conditions and contracts with employers
- Personal advice and representation for individual members
- Advice and representation on health and safety
- Benefits and services for BECTU members
- Training support and courses
- Networking events and career development opportunities
- Union journal, Stage Screen and Radio, published six times a year.
- Website designed to improve access to the union's advice and support.
Bectu will represent most people involved with theatre and working behind the scenes these may include: Front of House Manger, Lighting Designer and Set Designer. Its important for people to be involved with unions wether they work free lance or if they have a contract as they can not only help you individually with giving you advice or any extra support they can help improve working conditions to ensure their wellbeing.