by Jay Coward and James Ivens, Equity members
Delayed trade union rights, renewed arts austerity, lack of political voice — London members of Equity have urged the performing arts union to step up these fights.
far saved Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club —
an LGBTQ+ performance venue. Photo: Hugo PIerre
Topping the vote at the pre-conference London regional meeting in March was a motion on Labour’s Employment Rights Bill moved by Socialist Party member Jay Coward, Equity London South branch. It argued that Council (Equity’s executive committee) build towards a mass movement alongside sister unions, calling for: an immediate repeal of the last two anti-union laws – promised but still not delivered by the oh-so-worker-friendly Labour government; repeal of all anti-union laws; restoration of full collective bargaining rights; and a special conference, in line with TUC (Trades Union Congress) policy, to discuss how to win back all our tools to fight, backed by a Saturday demonstration and industrial action if necessary.
Next highest was a motion on arts education, seconded by Socialist Party member James Ivens of Equity London North branch. This is a sector with recent and still-brewing national disputes in other unions, another opportunity to coordinate.
Before the latest crisis in university funding, the Tory government halved funding for cultural subjects in 2021. This January, the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School announced it will no longer train undergraduates. Reversing those cuts is an urgent fight.
Alongside the whole tuition fee model, the audition fees charged by drama schools must go — for full public funding, free education and living grants. Labour has also maintained the Tories’ ‘EBacc’ curriculum and other restrictive policies in children’s education. These strangle cultural and vocational opportunities, for working-class students especially — and must go too.
Low pay endemic
Low pay remains endemic. Equity’s general policy is to fight contracts up towards national median levels. The West End dispute in 2023 brought hope. What’s the next step there, the meeting asked?
General secretary Paul Fleming, currently standing for re-election, listed some impressive gains — but said “you can’t have shibboleths in negotiations”. The question, however, is not of rigid shibboleths, but a strategy to keep moving forward. Members still need that from the union’s left leadership.
A panel discussion on the crisis in variety entertainment put Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club in the spotlight. The threatened sale of this space would destroy an important LGBTQ+ performance venue.
A campaign co-led by Equity, with supporters including Tower Hamlets Socialist Party, has won a stay of execution. But we heard they are not in contact with local politicians at any level. Tower Hamlets Council is led by left-of-Labour ‘Aspire’. Equity should pressure them to take the building into public ownership!
Members were particularly frustrated by the futility of pleading with an uncaring, money-hungry Labour government and MPs. Jay spoke again on the need for a political alternative — a new, mass party of the working class, based on the unions. This is a truly thorny question in Equity’s traditions and rules… and was met with the best response of the day, whoops and cheers.