How to Become an Equity Member

Established by a group of West End performers in 1930, Equity is the trade union for performing artists in the United Kingdom. Trade unions look after the interests of employees by fighting for causes such as safer working conditions, better pay, stronger contracts, and healthier safeguarding measures at work. Most fields have an associated union, and, in Equity’s case, the union covers actors, comedians, dancers, designers, directors, puppeteers, singers, stage managers, variety performers, voice artists, and more. Joining a union isn’t mandatory, but it could be beneficial to you as an employee.

Equity’s mission statement is simple: It campaigns for an entertainment industry that works for everyone. Some of their undertakings include working on making auditions accessible and the active tackling of low wages and harassment, as well as the response to the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the arts.

Generally speaking, Equity works toward strengthening the rights of performers from the very beginning of their careers, which is proven by its longstanding campaigns to abolish drama school audition fees.

Joining a union benefits not only you as an individual, but the industry as a whole. As lighting designer Zoe Spurr puts it: “Being an Equity member opens a theatre family and network to you, providing important advice and being your protection if needed.” 

There are many reasons you should join Equity, including that unionised workers generally earn more than their nonunion counterparts. But the financial benefits are only the beginning, as unions also fight for more stability and job security. Other advantages include having insurance, legal advice, general support, and counselling services. Equity can help you take action on individual and collective issues at work, and will provide legal representation if things take a turn. As a member of Equity, you may also have the power to negotiate your pay and terms and conditions.

There are various types of memberships according to what stage you’re at in your career, including subsidised and training memberships. All members, regardless of the tier, are entitled to full union benefits and can change memberships as often as they are eligible to do so.

Full membership

You can apply for full membership if you have earned £750 or more from professional work, if you’re already a member of a union affiliated with the International Federation of Actors (the global federation of performers’ trade unions, guilds, and professional associations), or if you ​​have already undertaken a job on an Equity contract (excluding Equity student contracts).

Subsidised membership 

If you earn £40,000 a year or less from the industry, you may be entitled to a subsidised membership. The criteria for this tier doesn’t include only income though. You’re also required to be ages 10 to 17 or over 66 (regardless of length of service), or to have graduated from an NQF level 4 or above (or equivalent course) in an area covered by Equity in the past two years. You will also need to demonstrate the same points as you would if you were applying for full membership.

Education and training membership 

Students normally qualify for an education and training membership if they’re studying in a course of NQF level 4 or above (or equivalent), or are on an Equity-approved workplace-based training programme. Once you stop being eligible for this band, you will automatically be eligible for a standard membership.

All subscription fees are based on the average of the individual’s UK gross annual income received from the industry in the past three tax years. Subsidised memberships receive a 50% discount on the lowest band of subscription, and everyone, regardless of their income and tier, are entitled to £6 off if they pay by direct debit.

The standard rates, including the discount, are as follows:

• £198 annually or £16 monthly if you earn less than £40,000 of gross annual income 
• £396 annually or £32.50 monthly if you earn between £40,001 and £80,000
• £792 annually or £65.50 monthly if you earn between £80,001 and £120,000 
• £1,584 annually or £131.50 monthly if you earn between £120,001 and £240,000
• £3,840 annually or £319.50 monthly if you earn over £240,001

In addition to your annual subscription, you will have to pay a one-off entrance (or rejoin, if you’re resuming your membership after a break) fee of £49.50, which is reduced to £32 if you’re paying by direct debit. It needs to be paid by all members, except those seeking an education and training membership. Once you conclude your studies, you will be eligible to be an Equity subsidised member if you earn less than £40,000 per year. You will also receive a 50% discount on the subscription fee for up to two years after your studies conclude, and you’ll maintain full access to all the benefits.

No union is perfect. Members may feel like the expense isn’t worth the benefits they reap, or that the community isn’t supportive enough. Having the membership fee coming out of your account could also be perceived as just another bill you have to pay when you’re struggling to make ends meet. In an industry in which contracts can be short and hours uncertain, however, Equity can be a safety net.

No, being a member of Equity UK won’t prevent you from accepting non-Equity work (unlike its American counterpart, SAG, does). Your choice may be frowned upon by your fellow members, however, as work that does not meet union requirements threatens Equity’s continuous battle for adequate contracts. As an Equity actor, it will be up to you to decide whether the moral compromise is worth the job.