Representatives of MU Attend This Week’s International Labour Organisation in Geneva The ILO (International Labour Organisation) brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States to set Labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all. Published: 15 February 2023 Read more about Representatives of MU Attend This Week’s International Labour Organisation in Geneva
MU Responds to Closure of Oldham Coliseum Theatre Oldham Coliseum has proposed that it will permanently close on 31 March. Published: 15 February 2023 Read more about MU Responds to Closure of Oldham Coliseum Theatre
MU Backs FAC’s 100% Venues Campaign The FAC’s 100% Venues initiative encourages venues to allow artists to sell merchandise without charging punitive commission fees. Published: 15 February 2023 Read more about MU Backs FAC’s 100% Venues Campaign
Andi Hopgood and Nate Holder: Why The Musicians’ Census Gives us a Better Chance to Create Change This week we’re exploring why musicians and change-makers Andi and Nate are supporting the 2023 Musicians Census. Published: 14 February 2023 Read more about Andi Hopgood and Nate Holder: Why The Musicians’ Census Gives us a Better Chance to Create Change
MU and BAPAM Publish Performance Health: Guide For Instrumental and Vocal Teachers The guide will assist musicians working in education and teaching to support their students’ health and wellbeing. Published: 14 February 2023 Read more about MU and BAPAM Publish Performance Health: Guide For Instrumental and Vocal Teachers
Highlights From The Right To Strike Day of Action MU members and staff marched and attended rallies in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth and Worcester. Published: 10 February 2023 Read more about Highlights From The Right To Strike Day of Action
Information for Members on Proposed Increase to US ‘O’ and ‘P’ Visa Petition Fees The MU are shocked to hear that the United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the US Department of Homeland Security are proposing huge increases to the Petition fees for US visas. Published: 10 February 2023 Read more about Information for Members on Proposed Increase to US ‘O’ and ‘P’ Visa Petition Fees
Gender-Neutral Award Categories at The BRITs Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity in 2023 Shortlists Following a shift to gender-neutral award categories, replacing separate best male and best female artist awards, the MU responds to this year’s all-male BRITs Best Artist shortlist. Published: 09 February 2023 Read more about Gender-Neutral Award Categories at The BRITs Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity in 2023 Shortlists
Welsh Language Music Day Resources Released by Welsh Government Friday 10 February is Welsh Language Music Day, and you can use the Welsh Government website to access a selection of resources to promote and share information, specially curated playlists, event listings and more. Published: 09 February 2023 Read more about Welsh Language Music Day Resources Released by Welsh Government
MU General Secretary Update General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing musicians this winter, and what the union is doing to support members. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about MU General Secretary Update
MU In Solidarity with West End Performers A statement from the union regarding Equity’s pay negotiations. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about MU In Solidarity with West End Performers
National Open Youth Orchestra Publishes Major Report The report describes and evaluates the work of the world’s first disabled-led youth orchestra – essential reading for music educators looking to develop their understanding of inclusive music-making. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about National Open Youth Orchestra Publishes Major Report
Welsh TUC Black Activists Development Programme Opens for Applications The development programme aims to give the confidence and key skills needed to influence union structures, and has just opened to applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers in Wales. Published: 08 February 2023 Read more about Welsh TUC Black Activists Development Programme Opens for Applications
MU General Secretary Opens This Year's ABO Conference MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl opened this year’s Association of British Orchestras Conference with a vision for a brighter future for British Orchestras. Published: 06 February 2023 Read more about MU General Secretary Opens This Year's ABO Conference
Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast The MU’s General Secretary appeared on this weeks Drowned in Sound Podcast, which can be accessed on various major streaming platforms about how music streaming needs to be fixed. Published: 03 February 2023 Read more about Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast
Act Now to Save Midlothian’s Instrumental Music Service Midlothian Council is consulting on proposals to cut funding for instrumental music tuition. Have your say by Wednesday 8 February. Published: 03 February 2023 Read more about Act Now to Save Midlothian’s Instrumental Music Service
Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023 Two musicians backing the survey explain why the Musicians’ Census 2023 is so important. Published: 02 February 2023 Read more about Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023
More Cuts to Music Education in Scotland Proposed The MU is fighting against more proposed local authority cuts to music services, which would break the Scottish Government’s pledge to offer free instrumental tuition to all children. Published: 01 February 2023 Read more about More Cuts to Music Education in Scotland Proposed
MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month The new partnership will see a new series of LGBTQ+ Inclusion workshops and the two organisations working together to create more resources for LGBTQ+ musicians and artists. Published: 31 January 2023 Read more about MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month
What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax? Keeping a record of what you have spent and what you can claim can be arduous, but it can save you money in the long run. Published: 31 January 2023 Read more about What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax?
Save Midlothian Music Service Demo A demo will be taking place on Tuesday 31 January against planned cuts that will see pupils in Primary 6 and 7, and in S1-S3 no longer having access to music lessons. Published: 27 January 2023 Read more about Save Midlothian Music Service Demo
MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action Take part in marches and events on 1 February to protest against the Government’s anti-strike laws. Published: 27 January 2023 Read more about MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action
Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue What is our collective role in building equality, diversity and inclusion and why is it a trade union issue? The MU’s John Shortell explains. Published: 25 January 2023 Read more about Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue
MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers 21 Trade Unions including the MU, UNISON, the RMT and the PCS union have condemned the Government’s attempts to ‘pit’ workers against each other, and are calling for urgent action to end the exploitation of migrant workers, including undocumented people. Published: 25 January 2023 Read more about MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers
Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges Members engaged with the Nevis Ensemble either as freelancers or ‘Fellows’ are encouraged to contact the MU’s Orchestras Department for advice and support. Published: 24 January 2023 Read more about Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges
Midlothian Council Propose Drastic Cuts to Instrumental Music Service The MU are urging members affected to contact their regional office, following the hugely concerning news that Midlothian Council plans to reduce their instrumental music service by 60%. Published: 24 January 2023 Read more about Midlothian Council Propose Drastic Cuts to Instrumental Music Service
Take the Musicians’ Census 2023 The Musicians’ Census is a joint project by the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians to get a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be a musician in 2023. Published: 23 January 2023 Read more about Take the Musicians’ Census 2023
You Can’t Put the AI Genie Back in the Bottle: Protecting Compositions and Recordings Following on from his recent appearance on BBC Newsnight to discuss what advances in AI could mean for musicians, MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear further outlines the protections needed for musicians in the face of new technology. Published: 20 January 2023 Read more about You Can’t Put the AI Genie Back in the Bottle: Protecting Compositions and Recordings
MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament The MU briefed MPs ahead of the debate that was held in Westminster Hall this week. Published: 20 January 2023 Read more about MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament
What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members Following ballots, two of the MU’s sister unions have announced strike action. The MU stands in solidarity with both unions’ members. Published: 19 January 2023 Read more about What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members
PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement With £2.5m in funding already committed for this year, the new agreement will see an increase in year-on-year funding allocated to PRS Foundations work to support new music and talent development. Published: 18 January 2023 Read more about PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement
MU Assistant General Secretary Discusses Concerns About AI and Songwriting on BBC Newsnight What could AI mean for your rights as a musician, and what could it mean for audiences? MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear appeared on BBC Newsnight to discuss the topic. Published: 18 January 2023 Read more about MU Assistant General Secretary Discusses Concerns About AI and Songwriting on BBC Newsnight
MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts Facts, figures and Union talking points about arts funding to use in your own conversations with friends, colleagues and decision-makers. Published: 18 January 2023 Read more about MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts
MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players What the union is doing to improve orchestral players’ pay and conditions? MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to members at this year’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting. Published: 18 January 2023 Read more about MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players
ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year English National Opera will receive £11.46m National Lottery funding for 2023-24. Published: 17 January 2023 Read more about ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year
MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding MU members came together at Trades Union Congress headquarters for the union’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting. Published: 17 January 2023 Read more about MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding
MU Secures New Agreement With The Bridge Theatre The MU have secured a new agreement with the Bridge Theatre, and are happy to welcome another new opportunity for members under an MU-negotiated agreement. Published: 17 January 2023 Read more about MU Secures New Agreement With The Bridge Theatre
The Musicians’ Guide to the Birmingham Music Scene Birmingham has a rich musical legacy and a wide range of resources for musicians of all genres. Here, West Midlands musicians give their personal recommendations. Published: 14 January 2023 Read more about The Musicians’ Guide to the Birmingham Music Scene
New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike The Trades Union Congress will fight new anti-strike legislation every step of the way supported by member unions including the Musicians’ Union. Published: 13 January 2023 Read more about New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike
Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against A Bill coming back to Parliament next week puts legislation on workers’ rights and copyright at risk. Published: 13 January 2023 Read more about Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against