U.K. performers union Equity is set to ballot members over potential strike action related to AI protections.
Negotiating partner Pact, the U.K. producers union, has been notified.
“Nobody wants further instability in our industries ahead of what we hope will be a positive year in 2026,” said Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming. “However, with the inadequacy of the deal on the table, Equity has no choice but to recommend members support industrial action. It’s time for the bosses to step away from the brink and offer us a package, including on AI protections, which respects our members.”
In a letter to Pact’s members (which Variety has seen), Pact deputy CEO Max Rumney acknowledged that re-negotiations over their collective agreements with Equity have stalled but raised concerns that the question the union plans to ballot its members on was “vague and does not explain the only outstanding issue clearly.