The Stage

Equity election ban for Payne or Prodger

Published Wednesday 29 June 2005 at 10:30 by Liz Thomas

Equity will be forced to effectively disqualify one of two senior officials hoping to succeed general secretary Ian McGarry because of a loophole in its election rulebook.

Assistant general secretary for theatre and variety Christine Payne and Andy Prodger, assistant general secretary for film, TV and radio both confirmed to The Stage that they have put their names forward to run for the £60,000 a year post.

While the union’s guidelines specify that any member can run for election, as long as they have the support of 40 other affiliates, neither Payne or Prodger are members and do not meet the artistic criteria for joining.

The Equity council can also nominate a candidate - the only way a non-member can be chosen to stand for the position. Both executives would be reliant on winning this process in order to take part in the election.

A highly placed union source told The Stage: “There is a feeling among a minority of the council that they actually want someone completely outside the union. Both Andy and Christine want the opportunity to stand.

“Who is actually selected is dependent entirely on who else applies. I’m not sure what would happen if one was chosen over the other - there is a chance the unsuccessful individual would resign.”

Payne has spent much of her working life at Equity and has headed both of its performer departments - mechanical media and live entertainment. Prodger joined the union in the nineties. He worked as the opera and ballet organiser before moving to his current post.

Former Equity vice president and variety councillor Dave Eager said: “They both have very different qualities that are important for the role. Andy is forceful and has a reputation for being tough. Christine is a great communicator, people admire her approach and she has a real love of the business. The new general secretary is going to have to really hit the ground running and tackle a lot of big issues immediately.”

The closing date for applications both for the council candidate and members’ nomination forms is July 22. A panel made up of council representatives will then interview suitable individuals throughout August. The group will then make its recommendations to council members ahead of a postal ballot the following month. If a special candidate is selected and there are Equity members standing, the voting will take place throughout October, with the final result made public in early November.

In accordance with trade union law, the election for general secretary is held every five years. Current incumbent Ian McGarry took over the role from Peter Plouviez in 1991 after running the mechanical media department. Prior to that he was labour leader of Wandsworth council. In 1996 he was re-elected unopposed for his second term and at the last election in 2001, McGarry managed a convincing win over challenger Lorne Boswell. For further election information visit www.equity.org.uk.

• Imogen Claire, Equity councillor for choreographers and founder member of the International Performers’ Aid Trust, died after a long battle with cancer on June 24. An open funeral will be held on July 13 at 1.45pm at Golders Green Crematorium. For more information contact Equity on 020 7670 0259.