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MU/UK Theatre agreement

Following the agreement being implemented in 2018 for a 3 year period.

Published: 28 August 2019 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM
Orchestra musicians playing in theatre
Our agreement will be renegotiated going forward from 5 April 2021. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The written MU/UK Theatre agreement, following the redrafting process, is now available online. Part of the delay was the settling of negotiations between UK Theatre and the Actors union Equity. The rates for Subsistence and Touring Allowance have now been finalised. These are now in place however with some back dating provision attached.

  Subsistence Touring Allowance
8 April 2019 - 5 April 2020 £173.95 £260.00
6 April 2020 - 4 April 2021 £181.05 £285.00
5 April 2021 - 3 April 2022 £188.15 £300.00

 

Backdating for 2019-2020 applies as follows: ‘backdating is not required for shows which have ended since 8 April 2019 and whose accounts have closed before 1st August 2019’. If you feel you are owed Subsistence or Touring Allowance for this period please get in touch:  theatre@theMU.org

Our agreement will be renegotiated going forward from 5 April 2021.

If you wish to join the Theatre Section Committee then we will be seeking nominations for the 2020-2022 Committee early next year. Help shape the future of the agreement and your working conditions.

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