Equity and Independent Theatre Council agree 5% annual rise for select workers

Equity and the Independent Theatre Council have agreed pay and provisions – including commuting costs – will rise by 5% every year for performers, stage management and choreographers. 

The three-year Ethical Manager Agreement demonstrates the parties’ mutual recognition "of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis", the organisations said.

The agreement between the trade union and the ITC – a management association that represents more than 450 members including producers, theatre companies with charity status, and community theatres – runs from April 2024 to April 2027.

It will mandate increases of 5% to the minimum weekly salary each year, rising from the current minimum of £545 to £572.25 in the 24/25 financial year, £600.86 in the second, and £630.90 in the third.

Directors and designers will enjoy a one-year 2024-2025 deal guaranteeing a 5% pay increase. Equity said it intended to negotiate further changes to terms and conditions for director and designer agreements later this year.

Karrim Jalali, industrial official for Equity, said: "We are proud to continue to work with ITC in such a positive direction. It is very easy to give lip-service to the difficulty workers in the industry face, but ITC and its ethical manager members consistently demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the industry. ITC and its ethical manager members understand the value of performing arts in dark and difficult times because they know the work is a moral and cultural necessity."

Chief executive of ITC Charlotte Jones added: "ITC has held wide-ranging discussions on the ITC/Equity agreements at forums throughout the UK and has a strong mandate from its members to continue to improve working conditions.

"The ITC/Equity minimum terms are used as a basis for funding applications and underpin good practice right across the sector. We are proud of our members’ commitment to putting people first and looking after their workforce while navigating an increasingly difficult funding climate. A three-year agreement is helpful for budgeting and planning."