We recently saw a post on a popular Facebook group that suggested background agencies don't like union members…
When we read this, we couldn’t believe how mistaken not only the poster was but everyone in the comments was as well.
Agencies LOVE union members.
Firstly, the more people in Bectu and Equity makes for stronger unions which means they have greater power to negotiate better pay rates and conditions for Supporting Artists (SAs).
As we operate on a commission-based business model, we are heavily invested in the security and strength of wages for supporting artists. Stronger pay rates benefit all involved.
We only make money when you make money and it benefits everyone involved if that money is as large as possible.
Secondly, we have a very strong working relationship with the unions to ensure help and support can be provided when issues arise between SAs and productions. We know the team at BECTU which means we can discuss things fairly.
The agency is a middleman that must juggle both the demands of productions whilst defending the safety and interests of their SAs. Occasionally circumstances can arise that make it difficult for us to determine who to prioritise in a dispute or whose account of events is more accurate.
We like dealing with the union because they are an impartial negotiator that knows the nuances and parameters of the PACT/FAA Agreement better than anyone and can immediately identify when a production has unfairly exploited SAs.
Moreover, SAs who are members of Bectu are covered in the instance of non-payment and receive numerous benefits including but not limited to:
Legal advice
Health and dental plans
Financial advice and assistance
Discounted professional and public liability insurance
University discounts
Prospect Plus discounts
Essentially, being a union member acts as insurance that ensures someone has got your back in the instance that you are not paid or mistreated by production.
Likewise, union members generally make for better SAs who are often more informed about rates of pay and the PACT/FAA rules than non-union members. That isn’t to say that we don’t witness falsehoods and misinterpretations of the agreement spread amongst union members - this knowledge gap is something we as an agency are determined to eradicate - but ultimately an SA who is a union member makes for a more reliable SA.
Ultimately, being a union member demonstrates that you are a professional that takes their work seriously. Both agencies and productions expect union members to be more switched-on and easier to work with.
From our point of view, we find it a bit crazy how so many SAs benefit from the high pay rates without being a member of the organisation that has fought so hard to make those rates a reality. In what other industry do unions benefit non-members so well? This is a testament to just how good the Bectu is for SAs.
So if you haven’t already, why not join up today?
Join your union.
BECTU - for London and the South East.
EQUITY - for outside London and the South East.
Many thanks,
The Extra People Team.