Alliance E-Mage 14 May 2006

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

- End In Sight For Theatre Negotiations - An Agreement In Exchange
- Out Of Step With International Obligations - National Week Of Action (Sydney)
- Honourable Mentions - The Greatest Show On Earth - OHS Training
- Tackling Climate Change - Making Sense of Money (Sydney)
- A Word From The Actors' Benevolent Fund

End In Sight For Theatre Negotiations - Equity had a fruitful meeting with producers last Friday as both sides attempted to resolve differences in negotiations for a new live theatre agreement. The outstanding issues for continuing negotiations are the payment of Sunday and travel loadings.

An Agreement In Exchange - Performers employed by SA's Windmill Performing Arts will perform 'Afternoon of the Elves' in the Seattle Children's Theatre in the US under an exchange agreement recently negotiated by Equity with American Equity. Under the exchange, the performers in the SA children's theatre company, who would normally not be able to work in the US, will be employed according to the Australian standard agreement and must all be financial members of Equity. Pay rates and per diems will be paid according to the better of the Australian and US rates (calculated according to the exchange rate at the time of engagement).

Out Of Step With International Obligations - Australia's IR laws were listed for an immediate hearing at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) last week alongside cases from Libya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Guatemala, and other countries known as the world's worst violators of labour rights. The ILO, the peak forum for international workplace rights, is concerned that the Howard government's new laws are out of step with key international conventions. More at http://www.actu.asn.au/work_rights/news/1149816912_8234.html 

National Week Of Action - Book your seat on the Alliance bus now to attend the Sydney National Day of Action rally at Blacktown Showground on 28 June. Join thousands of workers across the country in telling the Howard government that you oppose these laws and their affect on working people's lives. Members are asked to gather at the Sydney Alliance office at 7.45am for an 8am departure. Seats are limited, call Nicole on 02 9333 0951 or email nicole.scardino@alliance.org.au.

Honourable Mentions - Equity would like to congratulate the following members whose contribution to the industry was acknowledged by Queen's Birthday Honours: Bruce Gordon, Bert Newton, Gregory Yurisich and Elizabeth Koch.

The Greatest Show On Earth - In last month's federal budget the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne received $2.3 million to upgrade its facilities. In one of Australia's fastest growing art forms some believe the funding is well overdue. So what is drawing sell-out audiences into the big top with such increasing force and winning Australian circus performers critical acclaim at home and beyond? Full story at http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19448226-16947,00.html

OHS Training - Training is available for stunties, safety officers and deputies on Victoria's new Occupational Health & Safety Act. Enrol in a course now. Courses scheduled at the VTHC OHS Training Unit are available at http://www.ohsrep.org.au/index.cfm?section=13&Category=13&viewmode=content&contentid=79. Contact Judith Rodda on 03 9663 5460 for more information and to enrol.

Tackling Climate Change - Over the last few years, climate change has managed to grab the headlines little by little. Only now has the Howard Government even acknowledged that there might be a problem and their response is to discuss nuclear power. But it's time all the options were looked at and considered equally. And everyone needs to be involved. Performer William Zappa is calling media and entertainment workers to open a discussion about what we can do. Interested members can contact William at mailto:billyzap@yahoo.com.au?subject=Climate Change Discussion

Making Sense of Money - Don't miss out on Equity's Dollars & Sense seminars that 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 email kate.brady@alliance.org.au and please specify which state you are from.

A Word From The Actors' Benevolent Fund - With the end of the financial year in sight maybe you'd like to consider making a donation to our charity - The Actors' Benevolent Fund of NSW. The Fund exists for all performers and their dependents who may suffer illness or injury. Assistance is provided in all practical forms - direct gift payments, regular monthly grants, interest-free loans, the covering of medical expenses, you name it. If you are able to make a donation, no matter how small, you will be helping someone in need. For more information contact 02 9333 0915.