98% back industrial action and the union's claim
19 May 2026
Above: Equity West End members at the ballot result announcement with Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming (centre), Equity West End Official Hannah Plant (front left and Equity President Lynda Rooke). Photos available here (credit: Mark Thomas) https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bzynqr4hktqqgncsujosi/ABqpNYxEKqo_OxinwnDVu5w?rlkey=ij4w80jtpa88mrjaarcx87ufz&st=cjc5kl38&dl=0
Performers and stage management across the West End have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action and to back Equity's claim in negotiations, in an indicative ballot aimed at moving talks forwards. The union says producers "must wake up to the real possibility of a summer of strikes unless offers are improved."
Indicative ballot results:
98% of current West End workers voted YES to supporting strike action on an 89% turnout 99% of all West End workers from the past three years voted YES to back Equity's claim on a 78% turnout Equity will move to a statutory ballot for strike action if an improved offer is not made
Commenting on the ballot results, Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming said: "West End workers have spoken loud and clear: they're demanding better pay and conditions and are prepared to move to strike action to secure them.
"This is a resounding result in an unprecedented ballot. Never before has Equity asked members to back our position in theatre negotiations in this way, but they have stepped up and rightly expect their pay and conditions to improve. The West End is internationally renowned, and these world class stages should pay world class wages, not leave workers needing second jobs to pay their bills or burnt out by six day weeks and insufficient holiday.
"SOLT and the producers must wake up to the real possibility of a summer of strikes unless offers are improved."
Better pay and conditions Almost 3,000 performers and stage management were asked to vote in a consultative ballot to say whether they backed Equity's revised claim for 7% pay increases each year for three years, along with better holiday provision, full incapacity pay for those injured on shows, and specialist payments for roles like fight captain, social media captain and for stage management covering additional duties. This is the claim Equity has put to SOLT (Society of London Theatre) in flagship three-yearly West End negotiations.
Q: Do you back Equity's claim? Result: 99% YES vote on a 78% turnout
Attitude toward strike action More than 850 members (performers and stage management) currently working in the West End were asked to vote in an online indicative ballot on the question of whether they are prepared to take strike action on Saturdays if an improved offer isn't received.
Q: Are you prepared to take strike action? Result: 98% YES vote on an 89% turnout
Indicative The ballot is indicative - or consultative - only. A further statutory ballot could follow which would form the legal basis for industrial action on the West End. Equity has informed SOLT of the outcome of the ballot and hopes to enter constructive talks to move the negotiations forwards.
Background Equity is negotiating a multi-year agreement with West End producers' association SOLT (Society of London Theatre), which sets minimum pay, terms and conditions for the workforce.
Negotiations for a new agreement covering performers and stage management have been ongoing since December of 2025, and have been constructive to date. Equity is pleased with tentative proposals around improvements to maternity and paternity pay, wigs, hair, and makeup, and other terms.
However, they do not form part of a package which meets the union's reasonable expectations on pay, holiday, rehearsal working time, injury, and stage management differentials. SOLT (Society of London Theatre) have also declined to offer payments for newly defined roles, like fight and social media captains, or resolve issues around stage management covering other roles.
Just over 1,000 performers and stage management currently working across the West End are covered by the collective agreement, and the overwhelming majority are Equity members.
The ballot opened on Monday 27 April and closes on Monday 18 May.
