Unions sign agreement with Bradford 2025 on creative workers pay and conditions

A memorandum of understanding between four trade unions and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has been agreed, securing creative workers pay and conditions.

The agreement involves Equity, Musicians’ Union, Bectu and Artists’ Union England.

It guarantees that, where they exist, any professional creative workers taken on by Bradford 2025 will be engaged on terms in line with the unions’ collectively bargained agreements.

Bradford 2025 has also pledged to support the city’s cultural sector by engaging workers who are based in Bradford.

Dominic Bascombe, Equity’s regional official for North East, Yorkshire and Humberside, said the agreement “is a win for the region, a win for workers and a win for audiences”.

He added: “It will ensure that our members are employed on agreed minimum terms, with training and development opportunities for younger creatives and respect for the intellectual property rights of our members.”

Paul Reed, North of England regional organiser for the Musicians’ Union, described the memorandum of understanding as “an important framework, ensuring that musicians in the north of England and further afield will be engaged fairly and according to our minimum terms and rates”.

The city’s year of culture celebrations include music, theatre, comedy, film and exhibitions, including this year’s Turner Prize show.

It will also see the opening in March of a new pop-up arts venue, The Loading Bay.

Valuing creativity and talent

Daniel Bates, executive director of Bradford 2025, said: “As we showcase everything that makes Bradford and the wider district special, it’s vital that the creative professionals who bring this vision to life are treated fairly and paid properly for their work.”   

“By working closely with unions to set the right standards, we’re making sure creative professionals can thrive, helping to put Bradford on the map as a place where creativity and talent are valued.”