West End set for revolution as deal ushers in Sundays and cast wage hike

Published Wednesday 1 October 2008 at 12:00 by Alistair Smith

West End casts and management are on the verge of sealing a deal that will pave the way for widespread Sunday performances in return for an increase in the minimum Theatreland wage to as much as £600 a week.

Equity is - for the first time in the negotiations - recommending to its members that they accept the Society of London Theatre’s latest improved offer.

West End casts will finish voting on the proposed terms this week. Both parties are hopeful that a deal will be struck, ending 16 months of difficult and, at times, fractious negotiations.

“The new deal provides a different way of doing things in the West End and a new framework moving forward,” explained Stephen Spence, Equity assistant general secretary for theatre and variety.

“Equity has recommended this deal to members because we feel they have done enough now not to have to go on strike, but at the end of the day, it’s their call. We feel - at negotiator level - that this does represent a significant improvement at the bottom end. For those people who are above the minimums, they will - as they have always had to - negotiate with their agents when the new contracts come up, to seek to maintain their position apropos the minimum.”

If accepted by a majority of West End casts, the four-year deal - which would also apply to stage management staff - will see a new three-tiered system of pay introduced into the West End, whereby a minimum rate of £550 per week will be introduced into venues with 1,100 seats and above, £500 for theatres with 800 to 1,099 seats and £450 for those smaller than that.

This fee would be supplemented by an extra £50 for all performers who are asked to work Sundays as part of their six-day, eight-performance week.

All rates - including the Sunday supplement - will increase with inflation over the lifetime of the deal.

The new wage marks a sizeable rise in the basic pay for performers, who were on a minimum of £381 when Equity and SOLT began negotiations in early 2007. It currently lies at £416.

In return, several significant concessions have been made to producers.

As well as the potential of Sunday opening now being available to all shows in SOLT venues - subject to agreements from other staff such as backstage workers - many extra payments which performers can currently claim in addition to their basic pay will be rolled up in the new minimum.

These include payments for push and pull, flying, certain understudy payments and extra cash for taking on featured ensemble roles. Understudy payments will also be lowered.

Performers would also give up the £160 they are awarded for appearing in an ‘electronic press kit’ - which is used by producers to market their shows on live media adverts or in ‘making of’ documentaries. The waving of the fee will only apply to non-commercial use of the material.

SOLT chief executive Richard Pulford said the new set-up would take the proposed agreement “into the 21st century” and would create a “much more rational agreement than ever before”.

He told The Stage: “I think for every producer, this is a win-win deal. For Equity and us, it has turned out to be a win-win deal. That, after all, is what you try to do in any negotiation. You’re not trying to beat people into submission, you’re trying to find a position in which both sides can feel they have gained something of real value.”

It has not yet been confirmed when the deal will be introduced - if it is approved - but Pulford stressed it would be “as soon as possible”.

• For more on this story, see this week’s print edition of The Stage.