Equity and ITC strike pay deal for theatre workers

Equity and the Independent Theatre Council (ITC) have agreed a three-year deal to increase the wages of some theatre employees in recognition of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

The new Ethical Manager Agreement 2024-2027 will see minimum rates for performers, stage management and choreographers rise by 5% each year, impacting weekly and daily rates and all other financial provisions – including commuting costs, living away allowance, and daily meal allowances.

The deal, which runs from April 2024 to April 2027, means the existing minimum weekly salary of £545 will rise to £572.25 in 2024/25, £600.86 in 2025/26, and £630.90 in 2026/27.

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It follows changes to ITC and Equity’s Ethical Manager Agreement 2023-24 that saw a 10% increase to the minimum weekly salary, more than a 20% increase to minimum daily fees for performers and stage management, and increases for expenses.

Directors and designers are covered by a one-year 2024-25 deal with a 5% pay increase. Equity intends to negotiate further changes to its terms and conditions, reflecting its efforts to prioritise theatre creatives.

Equity and ITC said that they hoped the outcome of their negotiations, in which both organisations consulted with their respective members, would serve as a positive example in light of "brazen exploitation of workforces” in the theatre sector while helping producers better plan their budgets.

Ethical managers

“It’s very easy to give lip service to the difficulty workers in the industry face," said Karrim Jalali, Industrial Official for Equity said.

"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.”

Charlotte Jones, Chief Executive of ITC, 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 whilst navigating an increasingly difficult funding climate."