WINTER 2016 www.equity.org.uk Jackie Clune on being a Dep and a performing parent Denville Hall celebrates 90 years Report from TUC Conference Daniel Evans DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CAREER, AUDITIONS & EQUALITIES First Act Insurance is delighted to introduce Contents News 04 BBC pay plans 06 Welcome the new AGS Success stories 10 Equity members in LA 12 Online Branch launch A range of insurances that complement the established Cover story Equity cover: 08 Daniel Evans Features > 14 Denville Hall 14 • Employers’/Public Liability (when employing others and distinct from the Equity members PLI cover). 18 TUC report • Sets, scenery, props and costumes. 24 Jackie Clune 10 • Portable, technical equipment and instruments. > • Hired in equipment cover. Campaigns 2424 • Buildings and contents. 20 Play Fair update • Business interruption. 21 Young Workers month Key features include Plus • Competitive online quote and buy cover provided by HISCOX. 22 Member offers 30 Letters • Annual or short period cover available. 32> 32 Branch update 08 Scan this QR code with your Visit www.showtimeinsurance.co.uk smartphone or tablet device to Tel 020 8686 5050 be taken directly there Where and when you need it! First Act Insurance* is the preferred insurance intermediary to *First Act Insurance is a trading name of Hencilla Canworth Ltd Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 226263 FRONT OF HOUSE UPFRONT Christine Payne Rule change General Secretary referendum INCLUDED WITH THIS MAGAZINE is a referendum on a change to the union’s rules Attending the FIA Congress in Brazil highlighted which, among other items, will allow branches to the importance of connecting with performers’ declare their support for a candidate for Council trade unions and guilds from across the globe or President in forthcoming elections. A change to the union’s rules requires a referendum of members and the items to be PEOPLE JOIN EQUITY FOR MANY and the fight against any form of considered in the latest change are: a wording REASONS, but the vast majority of discrimination, a theme of immense change concerning the election of the young members understand that by joining relevance to the livelihood of many members Councillor and the General Secretary, together we can achieve more. That performers and very close to Equity’s heart. plus the ability for branches to support candidates principle is one the union stands by in The FIA Global Diversity Working Group for President or Council. Please fill in the forms its partnerships with sister organisations was set up to lead FIA’s work on diversity that accompany this magazine and you can vote both in the UK and worldwide. This is and equal opportunity across all protected PUBLISHING BBC SALARIES IS online via the Equity website. The referendum significantly demonstrated by our recent groups and categories. Other issues closes at 12 noon on 2 December. presence at the Trades Union Congress discussed included discriminatory practices (TUC) conference in Brighton and the in international productions, remuneration “VOYEURISTIC INTRUSION” International Federation of Actors (FIA) for on-demand use in the digital Pay attention! Be 21st World Congress in Brazil. environment and access to core labour THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEMANDED THAT THE BBC PUBLISH SALARIES OF THOSE WORKING AT THE I was a member of the union’s rights for atypical workers. CORPORATION EARNING MORE THAN £150K. THE UNION OPPOSES THIS UNFAIR EXPOSURE OF PRIVATE DETAILS delegation to the TUC and I am very proud There was also an update on the aware of updated that Equity played a key part in the progress of the Beijing Treaty on Audio conference and received the support of Visual Performances. The Treaty aims to THE GOVERNMEnt’s iNSTRUCTION that licence fee payers have a right to know, salaries of Equity members who work for the fellow trade unionists on our motions give performers a share in revenues to the BBC that it must publish the salaries of the proposal is of no value unless the BBC could be in breach of both their audition expenses about the role of atypical workers (the generated internationally by audiovisual actors, presenters, journalists and others who viewing public has a comparison of pay individual contracts and also of the Data EMPLOYERS WILL PROVIDE NEW majority of Equity members) and defending productions and brings the rights of earn more than £150,000 a year has met with across the TV and radio industry so they can Protection Act.” FORMS WITH IMPROVED TERMS Channel 4 from privatisation. Huge thanks audiovisual performers in line with those of a storm of outrage. judge if BBC salaries are value for money. Although the government has not to Equity Councillors Ian Barritt (vice recording artists. To be binding it needs to It is Equity’s view that this is a voyeuristic Equity General Secretary Christine Payne consulted with Equity or any other trade president), Tanya Moodie, Nicola Hawkins be ratified by 30 countries and so far only intrusion into the personal lives of those said: “Equity is consulting with lawyers and union on this decision, Equity has left EQUITY HAS NEGOTIATED significant and Adam Burns who represented you 16 countries have done so. This does not affected and while the government asserts has warned the BBC that publishing the ministers in no doubt about its views. improvements to the expenses rules which govern magnificently at the TUC, both in the include either the EU or the UK, so it will auditions in London’s West End and the conference hall and outside at fringe be a priority issue for our Parliamentary commercial theatre sector. meetings and receptions (more on page 18). Reception in December. The new rules mean that for auditions 3–5 After the TUC, I attended the FIA Finally, at the end of this year Martin held in central London: travel expenses can be Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Stephen Brown, our assistant general secretary claimed for all artists travelling from outside Spence (deputy for the general secretary) (Communication & Membership Support), Meet the new London Zone 4; from audition 6 onwards the and Ian Barritt. FIA is a global federation will leave Equity after 24 years. Martin has vice-presidents artist can claim for travel from outside London or of performers’ trade unions, guilds and been an enormously valuable colleague to any London Zone – all on presentation of professional associations representing the me personally and a tireless worker for the FOLLOWING THE RECENT election receipts within a week of the audition. interests of the broad range of entertainment members of this union. As the first leader of Malcolm Sinclair as the union’s Equity is determined to make professionals. It represents hundreds of the department he has overseen an President, the Equity Council has elected sure that all artists who are of thousands of performers with some unprecedented growth in membership, Maureen Beattie and Ian Barritt (pictured) eligible know the rules for 90 member organisations in more than which currently stands at more than 41,000, as vice-presidents for the 2016 to 2018 claiming and are getting their 60 countries. with the addition of almost 5,000 student Council term. Bryn Evans has been fair dues, and so a new The Congress takes place every four members. This has contributed hugely re-elected unopposed as honorary treasurer. information years and the theme for 2016 was ‘Acting to the financial stability of Equity and the These posts are termed ‘Officers’ of campaign is for Diversity’ highlighting the importance participation of members in the unions’ the union and are vitally important in about to launch this issue holds for professionals across the democratic structures and activities. Under representing the interests of members at at venues and world. The FIA Congress, and indeed his leadership the department has also won the highest level of Equity. The final Officer rehearsal rooms any FIA meeting, is a fantastic numerous awards for its communications. is Christine Payne, the union’s General nationwide to remind opportunity to share experiences In all trade unions passions can run high Secretary, who is elected every five years artists to claim and spread and knowledge on the challenges over certain issues. Martin has always dealt by the members. awareness about this facing members of our fellow unions with members’ views with empathy, great / 11 Members wishing to contact any of the entitlement. Watch out around the world, on how we can work understanding and honesty. I know you will Officers, or members of the Council, can for the posters and better to protect our members from join me in wishing him every success in his email them via their page on the Equity social media! exploitation and how we can work together future endeavours and welcome Matt Hood website: www.equity.org.uk/council More information on the on international deals and agreements that who picks up the baton to become our new detail of the agreement can be ensure artists receive what is their due. The assistant general secretary (Communication Bigstock.com found here: www.equity.org.uk/ Congress focused on equal opportunities & Membership Support). audition-expense-guidelines 04 / WINTER 2016 www.equity.org.uk WINTER 2016 / 05 EQUITY HAS LAUNCHED the Play Fair campaign to challenge the industry on under-representation of diversity and discriminatory practices in the casting process. The union’s four equality FRONT OF HOUSE In brief... Matt joins Equity’s AGnnualet our Conferencetax guide leadership team AThe tax union’s guide is2015 produced Annual annually to MATT HOOD HAS BEEN APPOINTED assistRepresentative members Conferencewho are filing will their be tax ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY returns.in London It includes on 17 and details 18 May.