Equity Threatens Strike Over Minimum Pay???

The Stage newspaper reported yesterday that performers appearing in West End shows had voted that they are willing to take industrial strike action to pressure theatre managers into increasing their weekly minimum wage. A potential walk out would see most, if not all, of the West End theatres closed until a deal can be reached – not unlike last year’s backstage workers’ strike on Broadway which cost the industry there a whopping $38 million! But that’s a long way off, so theatregoers on this side of the pond shouldn’t be worrying yet!

The current weekly wage for a performer in the West End is fixed at £381. Actors union Equity are demanding a 44% increase of this to £550, with an additional £100 a week if required to appear in Sunday performances. The Society of London Theatre (SOLT), which represents the interests of London theatre managers and producers, has already offered a smaller increase as their “best offer”, only to be rejected by Equity members. Although it’s a bit hard for theatre producers to swallow, as it means a huge increase in production costs, it’s likely that a deal will be reached shortly.

If successful, the increase to the minimum wage, for performers in the West End, will be the first for over five years! What do you, the theatregoer, think? Are the demands fair? Gossip away on our lively Discussion Board!