Cairn: a new association for performing arts professionals

As committed trade unionists and passionate activists, it was no easy decision to resign from Equity’s Scottish National Committee. Our union membership, in an industry where sometimes the only protection a creative worker has is their union, was precious to us. 

However, we felt the staff restructuring proposals put forward last year were unconstitutional, unnecessary and unfair. Moreover, they were forced through with no consultation with the members, during a global pandemic that was obliterating the industry. 

As a committee, we offered carefully researched alternatives to the proposals and engaged in much discussion and reasoning. Sadly, the Secretariat stuck to their metrics and the hammer fell on the “over-resourced region” of Scotland.  

This left us with the conclusion that our opinions were not valued, and our voices would always struggle to be heard. Our member-led union had lost its way and with heavy hearts, we resigned from the committee and entirely from the union.

Laying the foundations

There is no alternative professional body for actors, so after our resignations we were left politically homeless. But as the hurt and confusion cleared, we saw an opportunity. What had seemed so distressing became a catalyst for a new organisation, where we could apply our union principles and remain part of the movement we had belonged to for decades.  

Many colleagues were unhappy about the direction of our former union and it became clear that there was an appetite for something new. So the foundation stones of Cairn were laid.

Our journey began with the formation of a working party of fifteen colleagues. Face-to-face meetings were impossible due to Covid restrictions, so we took to Zoom. We canvassed opinions from many sectors of the industry including agents, directors, actors, drama facilitators and writers. 

We heard candid but inspirational accounts from people who had successfully built similar organisations. It was clear building our Cairn was not going to be easy but the more we listened to our fellow creatives, we realised it was essential. 

Unique to Scotland

By autumn 2021 we had a constitution, a bank account, a legal status and, significantly, found a name. We had tried to come up with a catchy acronym. In the end, Cairn was inspired by talking to Scots language expert and TV presenter Alastair Heather. He gave us a beautiful quote now incorporated into our website.

Cairns are markers along the way and places of shelter and safety – once unique to Scotland. They symbolise a collective undertaking, built and maintained over years. This resonated with us so much that we looked no further. Cairn epitomises our unity and durability.

Cairn is currently run voluntarily by members who have a wealth of professional knowledge. We intend to employ a staff member but that is a way off yet. Cairn will offer members professional advice and guidance as well representation in disputes, negotiations and legal issues. 

We have already started engaging with employers and organisations exploring where we can collaborate to improve the working conditions of performance professionals in Scotland.

Trying to stay innocent

Cairn is a union in the sense that any group united by a common interest or purpose can call themselves a union. As set out in article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of their interests”.  

Cairn is a grassroots, democratic, member-led organisation and will only move to certified trade union status if members decide and vote that it is the right move for us. Membership is open to anyone working in the performing arts in Scotland.  

We welcome members from all areas of professional expertise – actors, stage managers, directors, designers, producers, dancers, models and voice artists. We also hope to attract those who feel unrepresented in other professional bodies in Scotland, such as drama facilitators, storytellers and participatory artists. 

We are very aware that our industry can be a stressful and lonely place. We want Cairn to offer a sense of community and belonging, and an opportunity to take part in a positive movement. In Scotland, there is also talk of new associations for theatre directors and agents. In an ideal world, all these professional bodies would work together as part of an arts network. Surely in a country the size of Scotland, this is eminently possible.

Since our launch last month, our membership is building day by day. There is a desire for an alternative. With Cairn, we have the chance to shape a brand-new professional body. We will learn from historical mistakes, make our own and learn from them too.

Someone said at the launch: “This is wonderful but please try to stay innocent.” Cairn will absolutely try to stay innocent. We will strive to be an organisation fit for purpose, transparent, democratic and worthy of our members.

Julie Coombe is an Actor and founder member of Cairn.
 www.cairnunion.scot
@CairnUnionScot | @julie_coombe