Fix Streaming Campaign Update MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks through the latest developments in the campaign to fix streaming and keep music alive. Published: 31 May 2022 Read more about Fix Streaming Campaign Update
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 Read more about Accessibility Information for the 18 June ‘Demand Better’ March and Rally
Downing Street Parties and Cost of Living Crisis The MU responds to this week’s developments in parliament. Published: 26 May 2022 Read more about Downing Street Parties and Cost of Living Crisis
Kevin Brennan MP Elected as Chair of APPG on Music The MU welcomes the news that Kevin Brennan MP has been elected by MPs and Peers as the new Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music. Published: 20 May 2022 Read more about Kevin Brennan MP Elected as Chair of APPG on Music
‘We Demand Better’ National March and Rally on 18 June The MU will be joining the trade union movement in London to tell this government: we demand better! Members are invited to join us, assembling from 10:30 am at Portland Place in Central London. Published: 17 May 2022 Read more about ‘We Demand Better’ National March and Rally on 18 June
MU Speaks to M Magazine Ahead of Proposed Channel 4 Privatisation The MU’s Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear spoke to PRS’ M magazine about concerns for future payments and changing working practices. Published: 13 May 2022 Read more about MU Speaks to M Magazine Ahead of Proposed Channel 4 Privatisation
Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference A motion responding to the ‘Being Black in the UK Music Industry’ report has been raised and passed at the TUC Black Workers conference. Published: 10 May 2022 Read more about Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference
Further Guidance Provided for Musicians using Eurotunnel Following concerns raised by the MU on passenger limits, DCMS have provided further clarification around their advice for musicians travelling via Eurotunnel – and confirmed that the passenger limit does not necessarily need to be three-people. Published: 10 May 2022 Read more about Further Guidance Provided for Musicians using Eurotunnel
More Work to be Done Following Positive News on International Music Tour Travel Limits The Government has announced that UK hauliers working on music concerts, sporting and cultural events will be able to make unlimited international trips. However, small haulage companies undertaking medium sized tours with only a small fleet are still bound by the cabotage rules. Published: 09 May 2022 Read more about More Work to be Done Following Positive News on International Music Tour Travel Limits
MU Disappointed By Comments From Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Director Regarding Refugees The MU joins the TUC, Equity and Bectu in a letter to the Commonwealth Games Committee, expressing concern over comments praising the Governments’ plan to send those seeking refuge in the UK to Rwanda. Published: 29 April 2022 Read more about MU Disappointed By Comments From Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Director Regarding Refugees
MU Member Success at STUC Congress in Aberdeen It was a successful week for MU members at the Scottish TUC Congress in Aberdeen. Published: 29 April 2022 Read more about MU Member Success at STUC Congress in Aberdeen
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 Read more about Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform
Beware the Buyout Companies commissioning media composers are now more likely to ask for a buyout – but is that always the best option for music writers or musicians? Published: 11 April 2022 Read more about Beware the Buyout
MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference Young workers from across the trade union movement backed the MU’s motion on universal basic income at TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2022. Published: 08 April 2022 Read more about MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference
MU Responds to Proposed Privatisation of Channel 4 The MU disagrees with the Government’s plans to privatise the Channel - which supports over 10,600 jobs in the media supply chain. Published: 07 April 2022 Read more about MU Responds to Proposed Privatisation of Channel 4
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 Read more about MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay
Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists The MU welcomes the Just Ask campaign, and encourages conversations between promoters and disabled musicians to talk about their access needs and normalise the use of access riders. Published: 07 April 2022 Read more about Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists
Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves Thursday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility. We commissioned trans, masc, non-binary DJ artist has S/HE to write this blog celebrating the resilience and inner strength of the trans community. Published: 31 March 2022 Read more about Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves
Reforming Access to Work Motion Passed at TUC Disabled Workers Conference The MU proposed Motion, moved by member Nigel Braithwaite, aims to improve the Access to Work scheme for more disabled job seekers. Published: 24 March 2022 Read more about Reforming Access to Work Motion Passed at TUC Disabled Workers Conference
MU Responds to Chancellor’s Spring Statement In the MU’s view, the Spring Statement fails to adequately meet the challenges being faced by our members. Published: 24 March 2022 Read more about MU Responds to Chancellor’s Spring Statement
Concert For Ukraine ITV and STV to stage Concert for Ukraine, with MU members heading up the music department. Published: 23 March 2022 Read more about Concert For Ukraine
MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Adds Name to TUC’s Call for Employment Bill Following P&O Scandal Following the pre-meditated firing of 800 workers by P&O Ferries, unions including the MU are calling on the Government for an employment bill to strengthen protections for workers, as well the immediate reinstatement of all sacked P&O staff with no loss of pay. Published: 23 March 2022 Read more about MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Adds Name to TUC’s Call for Employment Bill Following P&O Scandal
Naomi Pohl Formally Takes Up Role of MU General Secretary Following her election to the role on Monday 7 March, today on Wednesday 23 March, Naomi Pohl formally takes up the role of MU General Secretary. Published: 23 March 2022 Read more about Naomi Pohl Formally Takes Up Role of MU General Secretary
MU at Labour’s National Women’s Conference MU General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl gave a historic video address at the conference, whilst MU Executive Committee member Sarah Williams gave a moving speech on supporting women through early pregnancy loss. Published: 21 March 2022 Read more about MU at Labour’s National Women’s Conference
MU Reacts to Admission From Lord Frost Frost has admitted his Brexit trade deal failed touring musicians. Published: 17 March 2022 Read more about MU Reacts to Admission From Lord Frost
MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference Two motions were raised and passed by MU members at the TUC Women’s Conference – about Black women in music, mothers and parents in the music industry, and online attacks on women journalists. Published: 17 March 2022 Read more about MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference
Defending the BBC Musicians’ Union General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing the BBC, and why union members must come together to fight for our public broadcaster’s future once again. Published: 14 March 2022 Read more about Defending the BBC
FIM and PEARLE Launch New Tool to Help Instruct Musicians With Instruments Containing Endangered Species The MU’s European colleagues at FIM and PEARLE develop tool to assist musicians determine what they need to do if they have an instrument containing endangered species. Published: 09 March 2022 Read more about FIM and PEARLE Launch New Tool to Help Instruct Musicians With Instruments Containing Endangered Species
Deadline Approaches on Survey to Support Musicians’ Use of Eurostar The data from this survey will be used to lobby for the St Pancras Eurostar terminal in London to become a designated port for instruments requiring a MIC certificate to travel. Opening up a quick and affordable way for these musicians to access Europe for work. Published: 02 March 2022 Read more about Deadline Approaches on Survey to Support Musicians’ Use of Eurostar
Expressing Solidarity With Ukraine We know that MU members are very concerned about the situation in Ukraine and keen to express solidarity and take action in support of the country and its people. Published: 02 March 2022 Read more about Expressing Solidarity With Ukraine
General Secretary Election Ballot Deadline Remains Monday 7 March 2022 The MU Executive Committee has reluctantly voted to reject a motion from 20 members received on Tuesday 22 February requesting that the deadline for receipt of General Secretary election ballot papers be extended by a minimum of one week. Published: 28 February 2022 Read more about General Secretary Election Ballot Deadline Remains Monday 7 March 2022
Government Ignores Music and Arts in New HE Funding Announcement for England Musicians may also be adversely affected by changes to student loan repayments, while the next generation could be penalised by proposals for minimum grades to access student loans. Published: 25 February 2022 Read more about Government Ignores Music and Arts in New HE Funding Announcement for England
Prime Minister Announces End to Covid-19 Restrictions and Free Mass Testing in England The Prime Minister announced on Monday 21 February that Covid-19 restrictions and free mass testing will end in England. Scotland has also announced changes. Restrictions in Wales and Northern Ireland are yet to be reviewed. Published: 23 February 2022 Read more about Prime Minister Announces End to Covid-19 Restrictions and Free Mass Testing in England
FIM Speaks Out Against Egyptian Musicians’ Union Disregard of Fundamental Rights The MU supports the International Federation of Musicians (FIM) in calling out the Egyptian Musicians’ Union’s systematic attack on the mahraganat music genre. Published: 21 February 2022 Read more about FIM Speaks Out Against Egyptian Musicians’ Union Disregard of Fundamental Rights
March Against Racism – National Demonstration On 19 and 20 March, World Against Racism will be marching in Glasgow, London and Cardiff. Published: 16 February 2022 Read more about March Against Racism – National Demonstration
The Competition & Markets Authority Wants to Hear From You to Help Fix Streaming The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) is asking for comments on the scope of its market study into music and streaming services. Published: 11 February 2022 Read more about The Competition & Markets Authority Wants to Hear From You to Help Fix Streaming
A Boost for Carry on Touring Campaign The MU is delighted that Tim Brennan and MU member Ian Smith have been nominated for the UK Parliament petition campaign of the year award. Published: 10 February 2022 Read more about A Boost for Carry on Touring Campaign
Sign the Petition to Stop the Busking Ban in Birmingham MU asks musicians to sign the petition against new proposals in Birmingham that would ban busking in many of the prime pitches in the city. Published: 26 January 2022 Read more about Sign the Petition to Stop the Busking Ban in Birmingham
MU Reacts With Dismay at Announcement of BBC Licence Fee Freeze The two-year license fee freeze is likely to harm job opportunities for musicians as The BBC is the single biggest employer of MU members in the UK. Published: 19 January 2022 Read more about MU Reacts With Dismay at Announcement of BBC Licence Fee Freeze
Funding and Updated Information for Members in Wales Some funding will be available from this week as restrictions are relaxed. Published: 18 January 2022 Read more about Funding and Updated Information for Members in Wales