Trade union Equity and independent performing arts management association Independent Theatre Council (ITC) have agreed to a pay rise and improved financial provisions as part of a new three-year agreement.
The Ethical Manager Agreement 2024-2027, which applies to performers, stage management and choreographers in the independent performing arts sector, will see the minimum weekly and daily rate rise by 5% every year during the agreement’s length. All other financial provisions, such as commuting costs, living away allowance and daily meal allowances, are also included in this.
From April, the minimum weekly salary will rise from the current minimum of £545 to £572.25 for the 24/25 financial year, £600.86 for the 25/26 financial year and £630.90 for the 26/27 financial year. The deal will also enable ITC ethical manager producers to plan budgets in advance to better manage accounts.
Directors and designers will be covered by a one-year 2024-25 deal, with a 5% pay increase. Equity will negotiate for further changes to terms and conditions for director and designer agreements later this year for 2025 to recognise its members in these roles.
Charlotte Jones, chief executive of ITC, said: “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.”
Karrim Jalali, industrial official for Equity, added: “We’re proud to continue to work with ITC in such a positive direction. It’s very easy to give lip-service to the difficulty workers in the industry face, but ITC and its ethical manager members consistently demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the industry. This demonstrates mutual recognition from Equity and ITC of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on workers and the need to support them as much as possible.”