News & Stories for Musicians

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STUC Scotland to Hold Demo Outside of Scottish Parliament

The STUC are inviting trade union members from across Scotland to join them on Thursday 8 December for a pre-budget demonstration outside Scottish parliament in support of the People’s Plan for Action.

Published: 01 December 2022

Musician protesters with Fix Streaming plackards

Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue

The Competition and Markets Authority has published its final report after campaigning by the Musicians’ Union, the Ivors Academy and Broken Record.

Published: 30 November 2022

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Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

Long awaited details have been provided of the timeline for a bidding process for new hubs, with funding for the current hubs now safe until August 2024.

Published: 24 November 2022

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UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan

UK Music has launched its Diversity Report 2022, including the findings of its Workforce Diversity Survey 2022 and an action plan for long-term change.

Published: 24 November 2022

Laughing crowd at a fix streaming rally, violinist and camera person in view, everyone holding signs reading

Fix Streaming: MU General Secretary at DCMS Select Committee

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl appeared at the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee on Tuesday to answer questions on music streaming and fair remuneration for musicians.

Published: 18 November 2022

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Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary

The MU is proud to be an official partner organisation of Black Lives in Music, who are celebrating two incredible years of advocating for Black representation in the music industry.

Published: 18 November 2022

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has met with Arts Council England (ACE) as the union campaigns to reverse damaging funding cuts to English National Opera and others.

Published: 11 November 2022

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Resources for National Stress Awareness Week

Work related stress is a trade union issue. For National Stress Awareness Week running 7-11 November we’ve put together a reminder on the resources available to members.

Published: 11 November 2022

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Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income

The Musicians’ Union joins politicians, academics and civil society organisations calling on the Prime Minister to introduce a universal basic income.

Published: 09 November 2022

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TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers

The TUC is launching brand new leadership schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers.

Published: 03 November 2022

People placing their vote at the MU Delegate Conference 2019, with cards held over head.

Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member

One of the most powerful things you can do as an MU member is get involved in the MU Delegate Conference.

Published: 02 November 2022

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl holds a red sign reading

Trade Union Movement Backs MU Position on Touring in the EU at TUC

Musicians’ Union member Robert Scott moved a motion on touring in the EU at the TUC’s annual Congress.

Published: 31 October 2022

A drummer in a bright yellow jumper is playing on a kit in a practice room, looking to the side at a music stand.

TUC 2022 Supports Better Pay and Conditions for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers

People from across the trade union movement voiced their support for the MU’s music teacher members at Trades Union Congress 2022.

Published: 28 October 2022

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Music Teaching Holiday Pay Guidance Updated

The MU has updated its guidance page on holiday pay for music teachers, particularly when calculating this for atypical work and part-year workers.

Published: 14 October 2022

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STUC Black History Month Annual Lecture Rescheduled to 26 October

This year’s STUC Black History Month Annual Lecture will be taking place in Glasgow on 24 October, having been rescheduled earlier this year. The STUC has also announced a ‘save the date’ for their St Andrews Day Anti-Racism March and rally.

Published: 14 October 2022

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Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industries Passes at STUC Black Workers’ Conference

The MU called on the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) to lobby the Government to improve pay gap reporting, ensure Black histories are taught in schools, and to make diversity monitoring a legal requirement.

Published: 14 October 2022

Banner for the MU Members' Conference 2022, picture of a young violinist performing in the background with a yellow banner reading

Meet the Members Leading Conversations at the MU Members’ Conference 2022

Our members are always at the heart of what we do, and in this feature we highlight some of those leading the conversation on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues and how they impact musicians.

Published: 06 October 2022

A man is sat in front of a music stand, making a gesture to an unseen student about the use of his throat.

Proudly Representing Musicians Who Teach This World Teachers’ Day

Wednesday 5 October 2022 is World Teachers’ Day, a significant day for the MU. We have over 7,800 in our education section, and represent even more musicians who teach – in schools, as private teachers, and in many other capacities.

Published: 05 October 2022

Red lit photo of a woman singer on stage at a small venue, looking out to the crowd

Value of UK Music Industry Up To £4bn – But Still Down on Pre-Pandemic Levels

UK Music report This Is Music 2022 reveals the UK music industry’s contribution to the economy is going up, but there’s a long way to go to recovery.

Published: 23 September 2022

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Meet the MU at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

Meet the Musicians’ Union at the Labour and Conservative party conferences to talk about the big challenges facing musicians – and invite your MP to do the same.

Published: 23 September 2022

Mayor Tracy Brabin smiling, with graphic: Mayor Tracy Brabin at MU Members' Conference 2022

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to Open MU Members’ Conference

The Musicians’ Union is delighted to welcome West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin as a keynote speaker on day one of Members’ Conference.

Published: 20 September 2022

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TUC launches £15 National Minimum Wage Campaign

Show your support for a £15 minimum wage with the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Published: 20 September 2022

TUC Holding Series of Town Hall Meetings on We Demand Better Campaign

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) are holding a series of meetings as part of their autumn of Action at Town Halls across Wales and England.

Published: 12 September 2022

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New Resources Added to MU’s Online Bullying and Harassment Advice Page

We have updated our advice page to include information on stalking, staying safe online and new resources provided by The Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

Published: 31 August 2022

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Participants Sought for Research into Lives and Careers of Mothers, Carers and Performers in Scotland

A researcher at the University of West of Scotland is looking to connect with female performing artists (from across music genres and performing arts fields) who live in Scotland and have pre-school age children.

Published: 24 August 2022

Music teacher points at a score as a child looks and plays on a trumpet

New Proposals for a National Music Service Released by the Fabian Society

The MU has worked with the Fabian Society, who have released the report today, recommending that Labour in Westminster creates a National Music Education Service for England.

Published: 04 August 2022

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MU Reiterates Black Face Position Statement

The reiteration comes following the Arena di Verona’s summer festival’s decision to darken performers skin for their roles in Verdi’s Aida, and their subsequent defence of this decision.

Published: 18 July 2022

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MU Welcomes News That Paul Nowak Is Set To Become New TUC General Secretary

Paul Nowak, TUC Deputy General Secretary, is set to succeed Frances O’Grady as TUC General Secretary when she retires at the end of the year.

Published: 12 July 2022

Close up of musical icons on on wooden cubes/blocks. Icons include: microphone, headphones, loud speaker, radio, and vinyl discs.

MU Meets with Leader of Labour Party

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl met with Labour leader Keir Starmer this week to talk through the Union’s policy priorities.

Published: 06 July 2022

Microphone next to laptop, displaying the equipment needed for a podcast.

MU Sponsors New Series of Classical Music Podcast Music Works

Music Works is a podcast that explores how the classical music industry works today and how it can work better in the future, with the first episode in the new series featuring MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl.

Published: 30 June 2022

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Major UK Broadcasters Back Calls for an ISA to Tackle Bullying and Harassment

ITV, Sky, BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5 become the first UK broadcasters to back the next stage of Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for an Independent Standards Authority to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment.

Published: 22 June 2022

7 MU members of staff standing in the street for the rally, all holding large white MU flags.

MU Joins Trade Union Members From Across the UK to Demand Better

Tens of thousands of trade union members marched together with one clear message for the Government: we deserve and we demand better.

Published: 21 June 2022

Two people are sitting holding hands on the sofa, we can just see their hands , legs and chests.

Remembering #TheShowMustBePaused: Two Years on in the Music Industry

The MU’s Education and Equalities Officer Rose Delcour-Min reflects on the changes at the MU and in the music industry since #TheShowMustBePaused and Blackout Tuesday in 2020.

Published: 02 June 2022

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Accessibility Information for the 18 June ‘Demand Better’ March and Rally

Join trade union members from across the UK in London on 18 June to demand better. There is information available about public toilets, wheelchair accessible stations, shortened march routes and more.

Published: 30 May 2022

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Hundreds of Festivals Sign Up to AIF Safer Spaces Campaign

The UK's Association Of Independent Festivals has relaunched its Safer Spaces campaign today, with more than a hundred festivals on board. The aim is to tackle and combat sexual violence at festivals and large-scale music events.

Published: 17 May 2022

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Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

Public body Acas has updated its disability guidance to provide clear advice on how to support disabled people at work.

Published: 16 May 2022

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MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for a formal Independent Standards Authority will seek to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment, and drive greater accountability across the UK’s creative industries.

Published: 05 May 2022

Blurred photo of a busy street in the west end, with well lit and colourful shopfronts open.

Outrage Over Cinderella Closure Announcement on Social Media

The MU has expressed its outrage, along with fellow unions, after musicians, cast and crew engaged on West End’s Cinderella only learnt of its planned closure through social media.

Published: 03 May 2022

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Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

Taiwo Owatemi MP responded positively to a question from MU delegate Sam Murray on shared parental leave at the 2022 TUC Young Workers Conference.

Published: 13 April 2022

A mother cradles a very young baby in her arms, against sunlight beaming in from a window.

MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay

Maternity Action are renewing their call for the basic rate to rise, at the very least, to parity with a 35-hour week on the National Living Wage, following the release of Sunak’s Spring Budget.

Published: 07 April 2022

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STUC Scotland to Hold Demo Outside of Scottish Parliament

Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue

Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan

Fix Streaming: MU General Secretary at DCMS Select Committee

Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

Resources for National Stress Awareness Week

Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income

TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers

Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member

Trade Union Movement Backs MU Position on Touring in the EU at TUC

TUC 2022 Supports Better Pay and Conditions for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers

Music Teaching Holiday Pay Guidance Updated

STUC Black History Month Annual Lecture Rescheduled to 26 October

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industries Passes at STUC Black Workers’ Conference

Meet the Members Leading Conversations at the MU Members’ Conference 2022

Proudly Representing Musicians Who Teach This World Teachers’ Day

Value of UK Music Industry Up To £4bn – But Still Down on Pre-Pandemic Levels

Meet the MU at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to Open MU Members’ Conference

TUC launches £15 National Minimum Wage Campaign

TUC Holding Series of Town Hall Meetings on We Demand Better Campaign

New Resources Added to MU’s Online Bullying and Harassment Advice Page

Participants Sought for Research into Lives and Careers of Mothers, Carers and Performers in Scotland

New Proposals for a National Music Service Released by the Fabian Society

MU Reiterates Black Face Position Statement

MU Welcomes News That Paul Nowak Is Set To Become New TUC General Secretary

MU Meets with Leader of Labour Party

MU Sponsors New Series of Classical Music Podcast Music Works

Major UK Broadcasters Back Calls for an ISA to Tackle Bullying and Harassment

MU Joins Trade Union Members From Across the UK to Demand Better

Remembering #TheShowMustBePaused: Two Years on in the Music Industry

Accessibility Information for the 18 June ‘Demand Better’ March and Rally

Hundreds of Festivals Sign Up to AIF Safer Spaces Campaign

Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Outrage Over Cinderella Closure Announcement on Social Media

Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay