eager4equity

ELECTED TO EQUITY COUNCIL 2008 - 2010

2008-09-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Dave has been elected as a Variety and Light Entertainment Councillor to the Council - "The Principal Executive Committee" of British Actors' Equity Association - The UK Trade Union for Entertainment professionals; July 2008 - July 210.
TO CONTACT DAVE BY EMAIL:

daveeagerequity@yahoo.co.uk

The next Equity Council Meeting is due to be held on Tuesday 30th September 2008

WHAT USE IS THE APPEALS COMMITTEE?

2007-11-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

The Appeals Committee is directly elected by the whole membership in a postal ballot.
If a member makes a complaint, the Council can reject the complaint and then the member may appeal for a ruling to the Appeals Committee. Even though, in recent experiences, The Appeals Committee have been very fair and even handed in hearing appeals - it then publishes a report...which the Council can then reject....judge and jury !
Should this be allowed as REAL EQUITY DEMOCRACY IN ACTION....in other words....no democracy?
The Council can amend, reject and publish whatever is seems to want...hence the question when a member complains about the actions of the Council being in breach of our rules:
WHAT USE IS THE APPEALS COMMITTEE?
Tony Robinson is the Chair of the Appeals Committee.....I wonder if the Appeals Committee are happy with their role?

JOHN WEBB "Leading light"

2007-03-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks John for postings and results.
It turns out that members contact me by email as "for some reason"
they do not wish to publish comments. As an "Audio Councillor" therefore
your are a "leading light" by publishing the results and using your name.
BUT

EQUITY'S EGYPTIAN REFERENDUM PROCESS

Equity has now perfected the way it emulates an "Egyptian Referendum"
Rule changes that not many understand, resulting in low polls which means
the Council, if they continue down the "Egyptian role model",`will soon be able to guarantee making their own rules....and our membership will sleepwalk into it !

EQUITY'S EGYPTIAN REFERENDUM PROCESS......

REFERENDUM RULE 24 - NO INTEREST ? NOT THE TRUTH ?

2007-02-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE PHONE TO RING WITH YOUR NEXT BOOKING?

ARE YOU WORKING - ON TOUR - PERFORMING NOW?

Whatever your answer a Referendum on Rule 24 seems of little interest.

Surely it is no concern when it comes to you - me - Equity members getting jobs !

But that is a view the current Equity regime rely upon -

the disinterest of Equity members.

THE REFERENDUM ON RULE 24 IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS.

Please read the statements FOR and AGAINST.

Please USE YOUR VOTE.

The papers should soon arrive by post.

If a statement in favour relies on:

CUSTOM AND PRACTICE

then I believe this is

NOT THE TRUTH

PLEASE VOTE TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS

VOTE

AGAINST THE RULE CHANGE

VOTE

AGAINST

STAGE LETTER - JEREMY AUSTIN

2006-12-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

The letter, to which I referred earlier, regarding Jeremy's article has been published and is available to read additionally on The Stage website at:

http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/letters/feature.php/15113/one-sided-article

S.G.M. Reqisition - Finances - Appeals Committee - RUMOURS ?

2006-11-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

The Requisition for a Special General Meeting about the concern arising from the Equity Council proposing to change the way it presents the finances was turned down by the Equity Council and under the rules referred to The Appeals Committee. I predicted that the Appeals Committee would turn down the appeal….usually on the basis it would cost Equity too much money and matters could wait until the Annual Representative Conference. I have received a number of enquiries asking why I have not published the result as the Appeal was held last Wednesday. There are rumours doing the rounds as to what happened, but officially I believe that the Appeals Committee’s decision, and reasons if they so publish, have to be firstly presented to The Council, which presumably will be at their 5th December meeting. Only after this date will the decision/information be available to us ordinary Equity members.

CLIVE HURST - EQUITY - BECTU

2006-11-16T22:02:00.000-08:00

The joint statement by Equity - Bectu mentioned earlier in relation to Clive Hurst's tenacious efforts may be viewed on his web at

EQUITY - BECTU JOINT STATMENT

MICHAEL EARL - THE STAGE

2006-11-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

Equity Councillor Michael Earl hss had letter published in this week's STAGE concerning Jeremy Austin's article.

http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/letters/feature.php/14855/fight-for-union-aims

REQUISITION FOR S.G.M.

2006-11-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

VONNIE - MEMBERS - APPEALS COMMITTEE

Northern Area Equity Councillor Yvonne Joseph and other members on behalf of 70+ signatures are due to present their case requisitioning for an S.G.M. before the Appeals Committee this Wednesday 15th November. The Council turned down the requisition. It concerns the decision of the Council to change the way it shows Equity's finances in the accounts. The change makes nonsense of Action 2000 and the ease by which one can identify sources of Equity's income AND it is all being done without any consultation with the members.
To date can you recall when the Appeals Committee has failed to back the Council?
Is the Appeals Committee really independent?
Does the Appeals Committee and its procedure provide for a "fair hearing in a fair court"?

JEREMY AUSTIN - OVERCOMING CRISIS - EQUITY - THE STAGE

2006-11-13T01:13:00.000-08:00

Have you read Jeremy Austin's article "Overcoming Crisis"
in this week's Stage?

Maybe he has been "spin-doctored" ?

As the former News Editor of "The Stage" Jeremy had built up a reputation for writing well-researched and objectively fair pieces. This latest article though is biased in the extreme as he "explains what lessons can be learnt from the struggles at Guild House" apparently based on interviewing just one person ! His cavalier dismissal of truthful facts is astonishing especially to those who know that he must know the truth even though quite rightly Jeremy is entitled to his opinion. Maybe the passage of time has mellowed his enthusiasm for objective reporting or perhaps as a feature writer the same principles do not apply.

Do you think basing an article and opinions on the views of just one person is fair and objective reporting?

I know what I think and I written to The Editor of The Stage to tell him !

RULE 24 COUNCIL UNDEMOCRATIC

2006-11-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Who cares about rules? Does it really matter?
Well my view is that if you ignore rules, whatever your reason, it is the first step on the slippery slow into anarchy. The Council has shown it is undemocratic by breaching this rule and failing to hold a vote of the members within a reasonable time.

THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE A REFERENDUM ON THIS ISSUE.....THE COST IS BEING BROUGHT ABOUT TOTALLY AT THE BEHEST OF THE COUNCIL.
The rules provide for this rule to be considered and changed by members at a members' meeting......a less expensive option which would provide a better opportunity for members to take part in discussion compared with a referendum.
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR RULES DO NOT REQUIRE A REFERENDUM ON THIS ISSUE.

Why a referendum? Why in December?
Is it because polls held over the winter - Xmas time usually result in a very low vote?
Is it because at a meeting of members the chances of the Council losing the vote would be greater?
WILL THE MEMBERSHIP SLEEP WALK INTO ANARCHY?
WILL YOU ALLOW IT?

The Equity Council have, in my opinion, displayed that their ideas - in a Blair-like fashion - are paramount and all other members' views are to be disregarded. No compromise. No middle ground. The Council majority also seem to believe that an "unelected" Senior Management Team comprising of members of staff should be given greater credence than the professional views of members. The Council, in my opinion, are abdicating their responsibilities on behalf of our members.

This is the real issue behind my concerns about Rule 24.
If you believe Equity should be demonstrably democratic and answerable to our membership the you MUST VOTE AGAINST the proposed changes to Rule 24.
THE ONLY REASON FOR THE RULE CHANGE IS BECAUSE THE COUNCIL WANT TO HAVE THREE ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARIES.

When Equity had over 43,000+ members we only had ONE Assistant General Secretary. Why with some 10,000 less members do we need THREE Assistant General Secretaries? The greater majority of organisations have ONE BOSS and ONE ASSISTANT BOSS....this is a proven management structure that has stood the test of time. We all want to know who is in charge of Equity when the General Secretary isn't available. We do not need a committee of Three Assistant General Secretaries or the additional salary and pension costs....look at our finances and membership income...we cannot justify the costs.

IF THE CHANGES TO RULE 24 ARE PASSED THEN THE COUNCIL CAN HAVE AS MANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARIES....AND THE ADDITIONAL SALARY IMPLICATIONS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION AND WITHOUT CONSULTING YOU ! ! !
IN ALL OF EQUIITY'S HISTORY THE COUNCIL HAVE NEVER HAD THIS POWER. WHY NOW?

No doubt you agree that Equity currently has too many chiefs in Guild House and not enough soldiers in the field. If you vote against the changes to Rule 24 you ensure a better management structure, a Council who will remain on this issue, as they have been for years, directly answerable to YOU....no changes without YOUR permission....a better use of Equity's money and hopefully as a result MORE SOLDIERS in the field and less centralisation in Guild House.
PUT OUR PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS FIRST...VOTE AGAINST THE CHANGES TO RULE 24

and for the record.....AFTER HIS LONG SERVICE TO EQUITY AND GIVEN THE ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE GENERAL SECRETARY.....one must ask....WHY ISN'T ANDY PRODGER
THE ONE AND ONLY ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY....?????

WELL DONE CLIVE HURST

2006-11-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

Equity Councillor Clive Hurst elected in July has basically run a one man campaign, against the practice of agents charging up-front fees, with considerably success. Clive has recently advised that The Equity Council have now agreed on a joint statement about this issue with B.E.C.T.U.
Well done Clive for your tenacity of purpose.

Is Equity gambling with your money?

2006-08-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

A formal complaint has been sent to Harry Landis - Equity President
Background:
Some five months or so ago I raised the question of Equity having more than one "Assistant General Secretary". Equity said that there had been a "technical" breach of Rule 24 and I pointed out you could not have technical breaches of rules. At that time I made a formal complaint but held it on the back burner in order to give Equity an opportunity to rectify the situation. Whilst I personally believe an organisation operates efficiently both in terms of response and financial considerations by having "One Boss" and "One Assistant Boss", which is basically what Equity's Rule 24 requires, it would appear that the Council have now authorised THREE posts at a level of Assistant General Secretaries in clear breach of Rule 24. They hope that the membership will vote to change the rule to allow the Council to do this is,
The Council cocking a snoot at its requirement to abide by our rules. It is also gambling with Equity's finances, because if you decide that the "one boss - one assistant boss" is the better way to run Equity and therefore do not vote for a Rule Change, who recompenses Equity for the financial implications of having appointed three persons at a level of Assistant General Secretaries in breach of the rules?
The complaint is occasioned by the fact I have been waiting for our General Secretary to respond to an email about this matter. To date no reply has been received.

"Sound of Music" + "Is Equity gambling with its finances?"

2006-08-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

Following discussions with members I am hoping to post some comments soon concerning the BBC "reality" programme - "How do you solve a problem like Maria" and also on a completely different topic but one which concerns Equity and the way it conducts/looks after its finances with your money - the members' money.
I would have done this sooner but fortunately I have been gigging....including an enjoyable weekend at Royal Sandringham - Game and Country Show.

Equity President - Harry Landis

2006-08-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

"Cheers Harry"

Since failing to be re-elected to The Equity Council 2006 - 2008 by only seven votes, it has been heartening and a demonstration of unity amongst our profession that I received personal letters, cards and messages from members including Harry Landis - Equity President, Helen Lambert - Past Vice President, Councillors Sally Treble, Michael Earl, Alan Thompson, Barbara Hyslop, Brenda Marsh, Yvonne Joseph, Albert Moses and Roy Radford. Personal messages were also received from Stanley Baxter, Sir Jimmy Savile OBE, Bunny Lewis - Chairman VAC, Geremy Phillips and included a bottle of champagne from Doremy Vernon, chocolates and flowers from David and Jonathan. It was appreciated that some of the current and former Equity staff also got in contact. Thanks to everyone including friends not mentioned....as THEY know who I mean !

Blackpool Variety Branch

2006-08-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Really enjoyable convivial Blackpool Variety Branch Meeting on Tuesday 1st August held at Oban Hotel - North Shore - Blackpool. Over twenty members attended and it was a fun informative lively discussion - a "family" atmosphere which is what "Variety" is all about. After the meeting some went out for lunch together and decided we MUST vote for Sarah Dukes in the upcoming Variety Advisory Committee elections.

Disenfranchised

2006-08-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the comment from "Disenfranchised" from Devon. The voting was the lowest perecentage ever with less 7% of the membership voting for the Council. Martin Brown's comments in The Stage are hardly helpful as it is The Council who must ask themselves the question "WHY?". Former Councillors including Nicky Diprose, who wasn't re-elected have been saying for years that "we" are failing to relate to our members.....but any ideas "we" have had have been cast aside by Equity "trade unionists". Professionalism and being motivated by our hearts, especially in Variety, seems to have been put on the back burner.

Equity members views

2006-07-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to eager4equity which hopefully will provide an opportunity for UK Equity members to discuss issues of professional importance.

Add, discuss and air your views about our profession and lets all keep in touch.....