Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development
The SAG-AFTRA strikes show that UK creatives need stronger workers’ rights
The strike action of Equity’s sister union in the US is an inspiration and a reminder that in this country too we need a guarantee of our long-overdue rights, writes PAUL W FLEMING
Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming, speaks during a protest by members of the British actors union Equity in Leicester Square, London, in solidarity with striking Hollywood members of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra)
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FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT’S New Deal in the 1930s recognised that the performing arts and entertainment make a vital contribution to an economy, society and culture.
The programme sought to create work for tens of thousands of creative practitioners and bring the performing arts and entertainment to every part of the United States.
When a New Deal administrator was asked why the government should provide jobs for unemployed artists and performers, he replied: “Hell, they’ve got to eat just like other people.”
Equity stands in full solidarity with our sister union SAG-AFTRA as it progresses this ambition of providing decent, secure livelihoods to their thousands of members in the US today through strike action.
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