General secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions GAWAIN LITTLE calls for support and participation in the national partnership organised to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1926 general strike
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

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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