Manchester Village Pride signs deal to guarantee pay

Manchester Village Pride has signed a union agreement which guarantees pay, health and safety standards and protection against bullying and harassment for drag and burlesque performers at the newly-founded festival.

The agreement with the performers' union Equity was forged after the collapse of Manchester Pride last year, which left dozens of performers unpaid and out of pocket by thousands of pounds.

The deal sets out minimum 20% deposits, 30-day payment periods, and ensures no performers will be asked to work for free.

Karen Lockney, Equity's North West official, said signing a union agreement helped "rebuild performers' trust after Manchester Pride went into liquidation last year".

She added: "The work our members and the MVP board of directors have done to reach this agreement is the first of its kind, leading the way for other Prides to follow.

"This is as it should be - a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights must be tied to workers' rights, and this agreement protects performers' pay, terms and conditions and health and safety."

The agreement, which was endorsed unanimously by Equity members, also includes a series of health and safety protections and a dignity at work policy, protecting performers from any bullying or harassment they might face in the line of work.

Lockney said: "Manchester has international significance for its championing of LGBTQ+ rights and worker rights, so it is fitting this groundbreaking agreement ties these rights together."

There had been uncertainty about the future of Manchester Pride, after the previous organisers collapsed last October, owing £1.3m to artists, venues and suppliers.

It was announced in January that a new not-for-profit community interest company (CIC), Manchester Village Pride, would take over running the four-day event.

Carl Austin-Behan, one of the founders, said it was "a chance to start again".

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