Alliance E-Mag 8 May 2006

Welcome to your Alliance equity e-bulletin. This week:

- Theatre Negotiations - Government Figures Show Slide In Working Rights
- National Week Of Action - NZ Introductions - Ads Penetrate SBS Programming
- The Caterpillar Wish Opens This Week - A Blue Goodbye
- ABC Australian Drama Success - Sedition Changes - Making Sense of Money
- 'Losing Louis' Special Offer

Theatre Negotiations - Equity will meet with producers on Friday at the Sydney Alliance offices from 10am-1pm to continue discussions for a new live theatre agreement. Performers interested in attending should contact Claire Montgomery by 5pm Thursday 8 June on 02 9333 0953 or at claire.montgomery@alliance.org.au

Government Figures Show Slide In Working Rights - Government figures indicate that thousands of contracts, signed since the introduction of new workplace laws, strip workers of penalty rates, shift allowances and annual leave loading. Of 6263 agreements lodged since the legislation took effect, 64 per cent removed leave loadings and 63 per cent cut penalty rates. Full story at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/coming-to-a-workplace-near-you/2006/06/02/1148956547889.html

National Week Of Action - The ACTU's National Week of Action against the new workplace laws begins on Sunday 25 June. Rallies will take place in major cities across the country on 28 June.The Alliance has organised a bus to take members to the Sydney rally at Blacktown Showground. Gather at the Sydney Alliance office at 7.45am to leave at 8am. To reserve a seat on the bus call Nicole on 02 9333 0951.

NZ Introductions - Equity's Simon Whipp joined NZ-based organiser Teresa Brown to meet with NZ's Associate Arts Minister Judith Tizard and NZ Film Commission CEO Ruth Harley this week in preparation for the NZ Alliance office's launch on 3 July. They also spoke with theatre companies, audio-visual producers and performers to introduce the people and aims of the new union presence.

Ads Penetrate SBS Programming - SBS has succumbed to commercial pressures and announced yesterday that it will run advertising during programs in an attempt to attract an extra $10 million revenue. The broadcaster says that advertising will be capped at 5 minutes per hour. However there is concern that this could escalate, compromising the nature and independence of SBS. More at www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/sbs-caves-in-over-ad-breaks/2006/06/01/1148956480914.html

The Caterpillar Wish Opens This Week - New Australian feature film 'The Caterpillar Wish' starring Susie Porter, Wendy Hughes, Robert Mammone and Victoria Thaine opens in cinemas today 8 June. Support Australian film by boosting the film's box-office takings in its first weekend.

A Blue Goodbye - On Sunday night, after 13 years and 510 episodes, Australia bid farewell to Mount Thomas and the cops who have kept the town running for so long. The program enters the history books as Australia's longest running series, just in front of Homicide's 509 episodes. Winning a total of 24 Logies, Blue Heelers enjoyed strong ratings, never dropping below 1 million viewers. Congratulations to all the cast and crew involved in the show. Read more at www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19308323-16947,00.html

ABC Australian Drama Success - Within weeks of the federal budget's increased ABC funding, East Timor-based drama 'Answered by Fire' attracted more than a million viewers in its first week. In the federal Budget the ABC received an extra $10 million a year over three years for increased local production. The stunning success of 'Answered by Fire' amply demonstrates why that funding increase is justified and why more funds are needed.

Sedition Changes - The Australian Law Reform Commission has released its initial Discussion Paper on the federal government's sedition laws. The Commission's proposals are a promising first step. They include clarifying the definition of intent and suggest a jury take into account the context in which the conduct occurred. The Alliance will respond, urging that the sedition laws be repealed entirely. More at www.alliance.org.au

Making Sense of Money - Equity's Dollars & Sense seminars have been specifically targeted to help performers save more and better manage their income. The NSW seminar will be held on Monday 19 June, 6.30pm, Sydney Alliance Office. Free for financial members to attend. For more information or to register email Kate Brady at kate.brady@alliance.org.au and please specify which state you are from.

'Losing Louis' Special Offer - The Ensemble Theatre is offering Alliance members $5 tickets to a performance of 'Losing Louis' on Friday 16 June at 8.15pm. 'Losing Louis' plays at the Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St Kirribilli NSW. Tickets are limited and bookings are essential. Phone Ensemble box office on (02) 9929 0644 and quote "Losing Louis MEAA Offer" to book your tickets.