Equity backs rally over government ‘attack’ on workers

Equity’s representative said: "While Equity members are not directly impacted by the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act – which would force workers in certain sectors to attend work during a strike or face the sack – this law is part of a greater, concerted effort by the government to attack workers across the board."

They added: "Workers must be able to defend their pay, jobs and public services, and we stand in solidarity with the one in five workers who could be affected by this new law, and the trade union movement at large."

Ellie Peers, WGGB general secretary, added: "Trade union strength is about collective strength of members standing together, and also individual unions standing together.

"WGGB has campaigned against the government’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, which primarily affects public service workers because a threat to one is a threat to all, and a threat to the very existence of our movement.

"Creative workers are dealing with their own unique challenges -–arts cuts on a local and national level, the continued fallout of Covid and Brexit, the rise of AI and more. Our sister trade unions have stood with us on these issues and we stand with them too. That is what solidarity is about and that is why our members are willing to take up their placards to march against this pernicious anti-strike legislation."

It comes after Equity revealed its chorus and orchestra members at ENO will strike on February 1 – the first day of performances for the opera company’s production of The Handmaid’s Tale. 

They will coordinate strike action with the Musicians’ Union, whose workers also voted overwhelmingly in favour of action against dramatic cuts to chorus and stage management contracts.