The Stage

Equity campaigner Hurst complains of ‘blacklisting’

Published Monday 15 March 2010 at 18:25 by Matthew Hemley

Clive Hurst has complained he will be ineligible for re-election as Equity’s walk-on councillor because constant campaigning for fellow members has prevented him from working as an extra for the minimum period required under union rules.

Hurst - who has been a walk-on councillor for the last four years - has complained that his campaigning to protect extras and walk-ons from rogue talent agencies who charge up-front fees has meant he has been blacklisted by casting companies and unable to secure any work as an extra himself for almost four years.

Under Equity rules, any member wishing to stand to represent a particular area of employment - such as walk-ons - must show proof of working in that area over the 36 months, meaning Hurst is now unable to put himself forward.

“Because of my campaigning, I have been blacklisted and have not had any work as a supporting artist or walk-on for almost four years. Unless I get a job within the next month and am able to show actual proof of a single day’s work, I have no right to stand as a walk-on councillor in the June/July elections,” he said.

Hurst’s campaigning against rogue companies conning Equity members he represents has seen him speak out in TV programmes - including BBC Inside Out - that have investigated complaints against companies charging up-front fees.

He said he felt he was being “penalised” by Equity for standing up for supporting artists and walk-ons, and added: “My union has not given me any help or support on the issue. So in practice, my own union is seemingly blacklisting me.”

Equity spokesman Martin Brown said the union’s rules state that, for specialist seats representing specific areas of work - such as walk-ons - candidates must be “able to supply evidence that they have worked in a professional capacity in the relevant area in the previous three years”.

He said he had explained this to Hurst, and the process for making a complaint if “he believes that the council is operating that rule improperly”.

Brown also said that, regarding Hurst’s claim he had been blacklisted by the industry, Hurst had been invited to submit evidence to Equity so the union can form a legal opinion on whether there is a case to fight on his behalf “for victimisation for trade union activities”.

He added that Hurst can stand for council in the general list, regional box, or in another work-related box, if he can provide proof he has worked in that area in the past three years.