Equity/Union essay
A trade union is made when workers join together to make policies and goals useful to one and all. In other words, a union is you and your fellow workers, acting together to better your everyday working conditions.
Unions are democratic organisations demonstrating a group of individuals who are workers in a particular industry or industries. Equity, like any other union aims to improve the working lives of its members and represent their interests at a range of levels. To achieve these aims unions may, for example: negotiate with employers, organise industrial action, set minimum pay levels, lobby government departments and ministers, take up legal claims and provide a range of services to their members.
Unions are independent from employers’ groups. Unions may apply to the Certification Officer, a government appointed person, for a certificate of independence. This is granted where the union is considered not to be under the control or domination of an employer or employers association. Equity is an independent trade union.
If a trade union is “recognised” by an employer then that means that the employer acknowledges that the union represents the employees in that company and will negotiate with the union on relevant matters. Equity has recognition rights with a wide range of employers and employers’ bodies across the entertainment industry. This means we have the right to receive certain information, to be consulted on various matters and to negotiate for our members.
The relationship between a union and its members is set down in the union’s rule book. This governs how the democratic structure of the union works and lays out its objectives.
Equity is the only UK Trade Union to represent artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. Formed in 1930 by a group of West End of London performers, Equity quickly spread to encompass the whole range 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, models, stunt performers and directors and theatre fight directors
Equity is not politically affiliated and so does not make payments to any political party. This puts Equity in the strong position of being able to lobby equally governments of all political colours.
The central activity 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, economic and technological changes. We look to the future by negotiating employment agreements that embrace new and emerging technologies so satellite, digital television, new media, internet only productions, podcasting and so on are all covered, as are the more traditional areas.

There are a number of different memberships depending on your situation, the main ones being:

Student Membership: You must be on a full-time higher education course lasting for one year or more which is preparing you for work in the entertainment industry in one of the following areas: actor, stage manager, theatre designer, theatre director, dancer, choreographer, singer, variety artist,