CMU School of Drama


Friday, September 19, 2008

Equity refuses to represent children

The Stage: "The decision was taken by the union’s elected councillors this month, after they were presented with a staff report outlining the main difficulties associated with such a move, which has been under consideration since April last year."

9 comments:

arosenbu said...

I actually think its a good move that they did not reinstate Equity membership for kids. I think that the issues presented to kids under 14 and adults are extrememly different, and they fall under very different law categories. I think perhaps there should be a different union for the kids, run by their parents/agents or whomever wants to be involved. I agree that it was very brave decision, but maybe there should be an interum step until another sort of system is worked out. Perhaps a subset of equity?

Anonymous said...

I agree, I think that it was a good move, but maybe instead of totally shutting the kids down they could propose an alternative method, like a program, or an alternate but similar union.

Derek said...

It might have been an option to include the parents as part of the union as a temporary member because of the child. This would still create problems for the union, so again, perhaps a separate union. I guess the problem is taking care of them while on set and around the set. Otherwise, they still should get the same things, or maybe it should all be written into a careful contract and then the union is not necessary.

David Beller said...

I believe that all children in the industry should be entitled to all of the same rights as their older counterpoints. However, much more consideration must be paid as well, and because of this, I believe that some sort of “other organization” must look out for the rights of children. I do however believe that children should be able to be full members of the union with additional stipulations placed by the other organization.

Anonymous said...

This is quite the tricky situation. I think they have the right motives when the say they don't want to take work or support away from active adult members of the union. But at the same time, I can definitely understand the need for children to be represented when they are working in the professional world. If children aren't currently able to join Equity, how are they in all of these Equity shows? Do they sign some special contract for kids?

Anonymous said...

My knee jerk reaction was at first to condemn equity on dropping the ball but after thinking about it, like derek and david said it's a sticky situation. I don't envy business/company/production managers that have to deal with the contracts. When thirteen went up in at the Taper in LA i know the kids were provided schooling onsite by CTG due to the impact on their normal education.

Anonymous said...

This is a touchy issue because there are so many exceptions that happen when a child is on stage. As Derek points out, parents become an integral part of the process since the children are minors but this is a huge problem for the union based on how it deals with its members and regulates the working environment. I agree that maybe some sort of sub-contract needs to exist in order to accommodate for this but it could be very difficult to flesh everything out in a way that isn't detrimental to the general working rights of the child and the jurisdiction of the union over that child.

Anonymous said...

i think it is a bold decision they had to make. i believe it would not have been very easy. it would be more acceptable if the equity had a different branch or a sub-division within to just represent the children under certain ages. it just seems that the equity is a little overwhelmed to including children, since there are so many restrictions and rules for working underaged children.

Laura Oliver said...

It seems to me that the people in the industry that need the protection of a union most are children. The number of families that are broken up and dubious money situations are ridiculous. Perhaps they should have their own union, an Equity Jr., but they need some kind of impartial protection from exploitation.