The Stage

Final bid to head off West End strike ballot

Published Tuesday 9 September 2008 at 16:15 by Matthew Hemley

West End performers will be balloted over strike action within a matter of weeks if a final attempt by Equity to secure them better pay conditions from London theatre managers is rejected.

The union is understood to be making a last ditch effort to persuade managements, who are represented by the Society of London Theatre, to agree to a 44% minimum wage hike or else face industrial action.

A source close to Equity’s council, which agreed the course of action at a meeting last week, told The Stage the “phoney war” was over and said the union was making a “final push to make them see sense”.

The source added: “They either act fairly or reasonably and agree to reasonable demands or that is it. Strike action has always been on the table and it’s only a matter of time when it is called. If anyone thinks Equity will be backing down they have another thing coming.”

Negotiations between Equity and SOLT over pay began in the spring of 2007, with the union submitting a claim for the 44% increase, taking earnings from £381 a week to £550 a week.

Since then, two offers of an improved deal from SOLT have been rejected by West End performers.

At a meeting in July 30, West End casts were asked whether the union should accept the latest ‘best offer’, with 90% of the more than 400 performers polled refusing the deal - the amount of which was undisclosed.

Last week, Equity’s council is understood to have heard what SOLT’s latest position on the matter is.

Although full details of this have not been announced, it is understood that councillors were still unhappy with the situation and voted on one last ditch attempt to reach an agreement with SOLT before launching proceedings leading to industrial action if this is rejected.

A spokesman for Equity said no comment could be made while negotiations are ongoing.

SOLT chief executive Richard Pulford declined to comment.