Subject: Join Equity at the TUC’s A Future that Works Demonstration on 20th October in London

Join Equity at the TUC’s A Future that Works Demonstration on 20^th October in London.

 

Marches are also taking place in Belfast and Glasgow on the same day. Details are available from the Scottish TUC: http://www.stuc.org.uk/20-oct and from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions: www.ictu.ie 

 

Why are we Marching?

Last year, around a thousand of Equity’s members were part of the TUC’s March for the Alternative that attracted 500,000 people to a demonstration in the capital. Members Samuel West and Tony Robinson also spoke at the rally for this demonstration.

 

Now, in 2012, we continue to see that austerity policies are not working, and have little or no chance of helping the UK economy to recover any time soon. We need a new plan for jobs and growth, particularly for young workers.

 

On 20th October Equity we will be marching under the banner of Invest for Success – a new campaign that Equity has launched calling on the Government to recognise that publicly funded arts and culture deliver real and significant benefits for the UK and must continue to be supported. The focus of the campaign is on the economic and international artistic success of publicly funded film, TV, entertainment, music and theatre.

 

For more information please see: http://www.equity.org.uk/campaigns/invest-for-success/

 

The message from our union is simple – without public funding, we wouldn’t have The Kings Speech, The History Boys, Matilda, One Man Two Guvnors and many other successes. Of course, it isn’t just about these headline projects. Public investment, be it from National Government/Arts Councils or local authorities helps independent theatre, film and variety venues to survive and flourish. Without it, the UK’s commercial sector and broadcasters wouldn’t be able to access the talent they need to be the best in the world.

 

At the 20^th October we will have Equity/Invest for Success placards, flags, masks and other materials for members attending. If you would like to Invest for Success stickers before then, please email [email protected]

 

Arriving on the Day:

The march in London will assemble along Victoria Embankment, on the north bank of the Thames from 11am, moving off around noon. Equity’s position on the embankment will be towards Temple Underground Station.

 

The Route: http://afuturethatworks.org/draft-route-for-the-oct20-march/

 

Rally: The demonstration will be followed by a rally in Hyde Park. We are currently working with the TUC to identify speakers and hosts from Equity. We are also working with the TUC to identify additional speakers to appear along the route of the March, recognising the fact that at the last TUC demonstration, many of our members missed out on seeing fellow members speak in the Park.

 

Transport:

Members can request seats from other unions/trades councils who have organised coaches coming from all over the country via the False Economy Website:  http://falseeconomy.org.uk/oct20 To find a place – click on your region on the map and you will be directed to contact details for the person/union organising transport in that region.

Some branches may also wish to use branch resources to fund train tickets for members wishing to attend.

 

Accessibility:

< p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">A shorter march route will depart from Piccadilly on the day and there will be a raised viewing area/access hub for disabled marchers and those in wheelchairs, with other appropriate facilities.

 

More information is available from the TUC’s dedicated website www.afuturethatworks.org

 

We look forward to seeing you on the day – if you have any questions before then, please get in touch.

 

Thanks for your support.

 

Louise McMullan

Head of the General Secretary’s Department

[email protected]

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