Prioritise members’ interests

Published Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 12:05

Dave Eager’s concern (Eager plans Equity council comeback, The Stage, May 8, p2) at the 7.4% voting figure of the last council election may well reflect many members’ belief that nothing changes, so why bother? Many now realise that the promising Vision For The Future of a few years ago remains unfulfilled and that information they are fed by those in control is suspiciously limited and inadequate. There is much that needs changing. Trust needs to be restored in those that daily experience the many problems that Equity must tackle in future.

Equity protects its members from employers that don’t pay them, but tell that to those confronting industry luminaries and production companies that offer no-pay work in shop window ads to any that will turn up for filming. While recommending low pay work shouldn’t be accepted, Equity’s policy of not seeking a national film production employment contract leaves its members open to exploitation.

For years Equity has denied there was any members’ money that should be paid out to them that was unaccounted for. In a report to council this year, the general secretary finally admitted that £1.2million of members’ money has not been fully accounted for and that she has known of this for more than two years. Another £400,000 remains in limbo, attributed to uncashed cheques. Hands off, Equity, that’s all members’ money.

Councils, for some time, have been increasingly delegating their responsibilities to a ‘senior management team’ (SMT) to the point now that a council deals predominantly with ‘recommendations’ it receives from the SMT. Rubber stamping issues is not government in action. SMT recommendations for the need for guidelines to explain what various union rules should mean actually change each rule completely - without consulting the membership or obtaining the approval of the membership. Council must govern, not be led.

A rogue agent in the Southwest was banned from working in the entertainment industry for ten years. Members’ losses were estimated at tens of thousands of pounds but last year, during that ban, branch members were recommended to that agent yet again - while Equity was holding a court order against him to recover at least some members’ money. Members’ interests must come first in future.

In the north of England a government official confirms that he has received complaints regarding a number of agents in his area from Equity members who are scared of being denied work in future if they identify themselves - such fear is not unusual. Aware of these and of his concerns about further serious issues, Equity appears to be reluctant to accept the officer’s offer to discuss these matters with members of a specialist committee. Why?

Equity, opposing discrimination and concerned for the welfare of members participates in conferences on equality etc, but now, 12 years late, the union is only beginning to fully implement the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. It is at least discussing this with its relevant specialist committee at last, but opposes members with disabilities being represented on the council. Other committees representing specialist members not permitted a seat on council include fight directors, West End deputies, opera deputies, health and safety, the women’s committee and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender committee, not forgetting such distinct membership groups such as ‘actors - film’ and ‘actors - TV’.

The clear representation of all members, their groups and interests on a council might encourage more members to vote. For apathy to be reduced, the needs of the members must come first. Margaret Mead once wrote, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, they are the only ones that ever have.”

Roy Radford

South Zeal

Okehampton

Devon