Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference Chair of the Musicians’ Union Executive Committee Alex Gascoine opened Members’ Conference with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference
Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis The MU would like to express solidarity with other union workers who are on strike this week, including nurses, postal workers and railway staff. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis
MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location ENO’s chief executive suddenly seems to have accepted that the company will be based outside London. The MU disagrees and is seeking urgent clarification. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about MU Demands Clarity from ENO Chief Executive Regarding Future Location
Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio We need more arts funding, not less, to make sure that a career as a musician is available and accessible to everyone. Published: 14 December 2022 Read more about Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio
Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme A full bursary will be available for the transformational leadership development programme, the Music Leaders Network, and we will be running an online drop in information session on Wednesday 11 January. Published: 12 December 2022 Read more about Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme
MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts The MU agrees with English National Opera that Arts Council England needs to provide further clarity, and the Union remains committed to fighting the cuts altogether. Published: 09 December 2022 Read more about MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts
MU Supports UCU at Strike Rally MU officials joined the UCU rally on Wednesday 30 November to show our solidarity and support. Published: 09 December 2022 Read more about MU Supports UCU at Strike Rally
Subsidised Rates Increase for MU/UK Theatre New Subsidised rates have now been agreed for members for the MU/UK theatre agreement, and will be backdated to May 2022. Published: 02 December 2022 Read more about Subsidised Rates Increase for MU/UK Theatre
Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey Members who are currently licensed under, or have been licensed under Westminster City Council’s busking and street entertainment policy are encouraged to take their survey, to help the council understand its key themes and issues. Published: 01 December 2022 Read more about Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey
Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience MU Member Audrey Gray, Creative Projects Manager and CEO of Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA) talks about her experience as a member of multiple EDI Networks and how lived experiences can contribute to much needed solutions. Published: 01 December 2022 Read more about Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience
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 Read more about Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue
Tribute to Brian Blain A tireless advocate for UK jazz and its musicians, the union official, promoter, writer, and activist Brian Blain has died aged 92. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about Tribute to Brian Blain
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 Read more about Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England
MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members
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 Read more about UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan
Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl today joined members in a protest outside DCMS to demand an increase in arts funding. Published: 22 November 2022 Read more about Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department
Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy In our first special feature from Disabled History Month, Professional Musician and member of the MU Executive Committee and ED&I Committee, Nigel Braithwaite talks about his experiences of being a disabled musician. Published: 21 November 2022 Read more about Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy
Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November Join MU, Equity and BECTU members outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a protest against cuts to English National Opera and other arts organisations. Published: 18 November 2022 Read more about Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November
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 Read more about Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary
Music For Youth Proms Returning for 2022 The Music For Youth Proms will return again on 15 and 16 November this year. The MU is a major sponsor of Music For Youth, who do incredible work supporting the next generation to make music. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about Music For Youth Proms Returning for 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 Read more about MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts
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 Read more about Resources for National Stress Awareness Week
What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference? Trade unions are full of jargon. One of our favourites is the word ‘motion’. But, like most bits of jargon, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Published: 10 November 2022 Read more about What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?
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 Read more about Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income
MU in Urgent Talks Following Major Funding Cuts to English National Opera and Other Arts Organisations The Musicians' Union (MU) has today heavily criticised the decision by Arts Council England (ACE) to make major cuts in public funding to English National Opera (ENO) and other arts organisations. Published: 04 November 2022 Read more about MU in Urgent Talks Following Major Funding Cuts to English National Opera and Other Arts Organisations
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 Read more about TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers
MU Congratulates DJ Paulette on DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Win DJ Paulette recently performed at the MU Members’ Conference 2022, closing day one with an exclusive set for delegates, and has now won a Lifetime Achievement award in DJ magazine’s top 100 DJs. Published: 03 November 2022 Read more about MU Congratulates DJ Paulette on DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Win
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 Read more about 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 Musicians’ Union member Robert Scott moved a motion on touring in the EU at the TUC’s annual Congress. Published: 31 October 2022 Read more about 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 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 Read more about TUC 2022 Supports Better Pay and Conditions for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers
MU’s Response to ‘Misogyny in Music’ Inquiry Published In July we submitted a response to the HoC Women and Equalities Committee 'Misogyny in Music' Inquiry. Our submission has now been accepted and published online, here we outline some key highlights. Published: 25 October 2022 Read more about MU’s Response to ‘Misogyny in Music’ Inquiry Published
Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members MU members now have free access to the uniquely designed course tailored for musicians created by MU member and yoga teacher Veronika KlÃrová. Published: 24 October 2022 Read more about Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members
MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks about our presence at this year's party conferences and what’s going on in music education, touring in Europe and orchestras, theatre and arts funding. Published: 20 October 2022 Read more about MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election
Findings Show Classical Music Industry at Risk of Losing Talent and Decreasing in Diversity The MU was one of many organisations to help fund groundbreaking research into a report which finds that the Classical Music sector is failing its parent and carer workforce. Published: 20 October 2022 Read more about Findings Show Classical Music Industry at Risk of Losing Talent and Decreasing in Diversity
Raghad Haddad Wins MU-Sponsored Award at Youth Music Awards MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl presented the award, in the category of Inspirational Music Leader, at the Youth Music Awards in London on 19 October. Published: 20 October 2022 Read more about Raghad Haddad Wins MU-Sponsored Award at Youth Music Awards
Taking Action - Our Update on Brexit for Musicians The MU has been closely involved in the compiling of two comprehensive reports outlining the difficulties musicians and the creative industries as a whole are having in the post Brexit age. Published: 19 October 2022 Read more about Taking Action - Our Update on Brexit for Musicians
World Menopause Day 2022: An Issue That Affects Us All Today is World Menopause Day and to mark this, we’ve shared resources, information and what the Union is doing to raise awareness in our blog below. Published: 18 October 2022 Read more about World Menopause Day 2022: An Issue That Affects Us All
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 Read more about Music Teaching Holiday Pay Guidance Updated
MU to Sponsor Presentation at The Ivors Composer Awards 2022 The MU will be sponsoring the ‘Ivor for Innovation Award’ for the first time in November. Published: 14 October 2022 Read more about MU to Sponsor Presentation at The Ivors Composer Awards 2022
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 Read more about Meet the Members Leading Conversations at the MU Members’ Conference 2022