QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge The Queen Margaret Union (QMU), a students’ union at the University of Glasgow, has become the first live venue in Scotland to sign the Keychange 50/50 pledge – committing to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in their performers by 2022. Published: 28 June 2019 Read more about QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge
MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexual harassment in music MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexism, sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry following a Newsbeat investigation into the harassment experienced by fans. Published: 11 June 2019 Read more about MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexual harassment in music
New Report from TUC Reveals That Nearly 7 in 10 LGBT People Say They Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people report being sexually harassed at work, according to new research published by the TUC on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia today. Published: 17 May 2019 Read more about New Report from TUC Reveals That Nearly 7 in 10 LGBT People Say They Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work
Next Stage Survey Reveals 2 In 3 Musicians Have Compromised Health and Wellbeing to Perform Live Attitude is Everything’s Next Stage survey, supported by the Musicians’ Union, reveals 2 in 3 musicians have had to compromise their health and wellbeing to perform live. Published: 09 May 2019 Read more about Next Stage Survey Reveals 2 In 3 Musicians Have Compromised Health and Wellbeing to Perform Live
The MU at Birmingham Pride The MU joined Birmingham Pride march on 25 May 2019. Published: 30 April 2019 Read more about The MU at Birmingham Pride
Concern About Recent Protests Over Schools Teaching About Same-Sex Relationships The MU is concerned at the recent protests in Birmingham regarding schools teaching about same-sex relationships, LGBTQ+ rights and topics covered in the Equality Act 2010. Published: 12 April 2019 Read more about Concern About Recent Protests Over Schools Teaching About Same-Sex Relationships
Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List We are delighted that Musicians’ Union (MU) Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl is recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List. This year’s theme is community, a value at the heart of the trade union movement. Published: 02 April 2019 Read more about Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List
Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched The MU and shesaid.so have combined forces to support women in the industry by matching fellow musicians together, to help one another grow and succeed in their careers. Published: 13 March 2019 Read more about Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched
Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day The survey aims to look at the root causes of mental ill health in work, how to challenge these, and wider societal issues around mental health. Published: 07 February 2019 Read more about Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day
LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen LGBT+ History Month explores the history, celebrates the present, and looks to the future of LGBT+ people in the UK. Hillman Mondegreen, composer for Ephemerals, explores. Published: 31 January 2019 Read more about LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen
Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector The Performers’ Alliance APPG inquiry, ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling in the Arts’ looks at social mobility in the creative sector. Published: 18 December 2018 Read more about Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector
Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey Attitude is Everything is asking musicians who identify as deaf or disabled persons – or don’t identify but have a health condition or impairment that impacts their daily life – to share their experiences. Published: 14 December 2018 Read more about Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey
Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment Anti Bullying week runs from 12-16 November every year. This year’s theme is “choose respect”. Published: 12 November 2018 Read more about Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment
#MUmoment Featured Baluji Shrivastav Produces Series of Performances Considering Sight and Sightlessness Blind sitar master Baluji Shrivastav OBE – who you may have seen featured in our Musician Behind the Moment campaign – has produced a music, dance and visual performance which considers sight and sightlessness. Published: 07 August 2018 Read more about #MUmoment Featured Baluji Shrivastav Produces Series of Performances Considering Sight and Sightlessness
Music Students Experience Bullying and Discrimination in Higher Education Finds the Musicians’ Union, Equity and the ISM Joint research by the Musicians’ Union (MU), Equity and the ISM reveal one in two music, dance and drama students are at risk from bullying and discrimination, including sexual harassment. Published: 19 July 2018 Read more about Music Students Experience Bullying and Discrimination in Higher Education Finds the Musicians’ Union, Equity and the ISM
ISM and Musicians' Union Launch Music Sector's Code of Practice The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and the Musicians’ Union (MU), which jointly represent the interests of the UK’s professional musicians, have launched a set of principles to ‘tackle and prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination in the music sector.’ Published: 12 July 2018 Read more about ISM and Musicians' Union Launch Music Sector's Code of Practice
Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) Opens First of a Kind Survey into Balancing Work with Caring Roles The Musicians’ Union (MU) is supporting Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) with their wide-scale, first of a kind survey, and is calling on members to take part. Published: 29 June 2018 Read more about Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) Opens First of a Kind Survey into Balancing Work with Caring Roles
MU to Spotlight Harassment and Abuse in Music Industry at TUC LGBT+ Conference 2018 The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be taking a delegation of Union members to the annual Trades Union Congress (TUC) LGBT+ Conference. Published: 14 June 2018 Read more about MU to Spotlight Harassment and Abuse in Music Industry at TUC LGBT+ Conference 2018
Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry The ‘We All Make Music’ guide aims support the diversification of the music education workforce. After Drake Music's research revealed that disabled people are very under-represented in music Published: 07 June 2018 Read more about Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry
The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit The UK’s membership of the EU has strengthened protections for LGBT+ people in this country. Now Brexit is putting those hard-won rights at risk. Published: 17 May 2018 Read more about The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit
MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Black Workers’ Conference Published: 23 April 2018 Read more about MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference
LGBT History Month: "It’s a Shame That None of the Glorious Romantic Scores We Play are About a Gay Couple" Glen Sheldon reflects on his life as an orchestral player #LGBTHM2018, as this LGBT History Month, we asked MU members to tell us about their experiences working in the music industry. Published: 20 February 2018 Read more about LGBT History Month: "It’s a Shame That None of the Glorious Romantic Scores We Play are About a Gay Couple"
LGBT History Month: "The West End is a Great Place to Work... All Kinds of Musicians Should Get the Chance to Experience It" This LGBT History Month, we asked MU members to tell us about their experiences working in the music industry. Here, one musician shares their thoughts on life in London’s West End. #LGBTHM2018 Published: 12 February 2018 Read more about LGBT History Month: "The West End is a Great Place to Work... All Kinds of Musicians Should Get the Chance to Experience It"
The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work​ We are here to offer support and guidance if you face sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse at work. If you are an employed or self-employed musician, regardless of which part of the industry you work in, you can talk to us. We will listen. Published: 19 October 2017 Read more about The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work​
Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference The Musicians’ Union (MU) once again took part in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual LGBT+ Conference at Congress House in London. Here are some of the highlights. Published: 20 July 2017 Read more about Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference
MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017 The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be taking part in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) LGBT+ Conference once again. This year, the MU’s motion is about mental health. #TUCLGBT Published: 06 July 2017 Read more about MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017
MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education The Musicians’ Union (MU) is now included in the latest edition of The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education. Published: 02 June 2017 Read more about MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia This year, we’re proud to be doing more than ever to support, engage and celebrate our LGBT+ members. Published: 17 May 2017 Read more about International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia
Naomi Pohl becomes the Union's first female Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl has been appointed as MU Assistant General Secretary, Music Industry, and becomes the first female to join the Union’s team of senior officials in the Union’s 124-year history. Published: 11 April 2017 Read more about Naomi Pohl becomes the Union's first female Assistant General Secretary
TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign TUC Black Workers Conference voted to support the MU’s motion on the Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign and the anti-racism code of practice. Published: 10 April 2017 Read more about TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign
MU success at TUC Young Workers’ Conference TUC Young Workers’ Conference supports MU motion on protecting freelance workers. Published: 07 April 2017 Read more about MU success at TUC Young Workers’ Conference
MU Supports WASPI Campaign Are you a woman born in the 1950s? You may have been detrimentally affected by the 2011 Pension Act. WASPI is campaigning for fairer treatment. Published: 02 March 2017 Read more about MU Supports WASPI Campaign
We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next… In 2016, we hosted a panel examining recent closures of LGBT venues and what we could do to preserve them in the future. A year on, things are beginning to change. Published: 26 January 2017 Read more about We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next…
Workforce Diversity in the British Music Industry UK Music published results of its first pan-industry workforce diversity survey of the music industry focusing on ethnicity and gender. Published: 17 January 2017 Read more about Workforce Diversity in the British Music Industry
Disability History Month: Heidi McGeough Heidi McGeough shares her experiences as a singer/songwriter and a registered blind guide dog owner, this Disability History Month. Published: 08 December 2016 Read more about Disability History Month: Heidi McGeough
Disability History Month: Therapy in Musical Expression Essex-based music service T.I.M.E. provides opportunities for musical expression to all. Published: 22 November 2016 Read more about Disability History Month: Therapy in Musical Expression
TUC LGBT Conferences Passes MU Motion on Access to PrEP The MU motion to the Trades Union Congress’ annual LGBT Conference on access to PrEP passed unanimously. Published: 23 June 2016 Read more about TUC LGBT Conferences Passes MU Motion on Access to PrEP
Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016 Simple changes to online information provision could drastically improve the experiences of Deaf and disabled venue and festival goers, shows new report. Published: 17 March 2016 Read more about Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016
We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! Highlights from our LGBT History Month panel discussion on the future of LGBT venues. Published: 05 February 2016 Read more about We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues!
TUC Black Workers Conference The TUC Black Workers Conference was held at Congress House, London on 17-19 April 2015. Published: 21 May 2015 Read more about TUC Black Workers Conference