Unionising/ collective mobilisation/ peer support networks and allyship

(notes from Open Space, 25 March 2023)

Ollie already in existing arts unions? How do they currently help us? Accountability, understanding contracts and rights, backup. (Scottish Artists Union, Equity etc. + Unite). Seeing lots of union action in other sectors, how do we collectivise and act?

Arts is not transparent, can be blacklisted for joining a trade union.

SAU run through unpaid labour/ volunteering from artists.

Sick of guilt trip dividing tactics about funding (ie. “how can the arts protest/strike about pay when the NHS is underfunded?)

Important to be visible (ie. Save the Filmhouse campaign and organised protests).

The power of street protest visibility.

General strike (but hard if not unionised?) Sector is disparate (divide and conquer)

How lobby a sector which is so disparate? who do you mean by ‘the sector’? Is the sector all arts? Do we need a new union across creative arts for Scotland? mobileye's across sectors rather than unionise across all arts. The key is solidarity. The unions are in conversation. Problem with freelancers getting no representation (only union if contracted worker).

know your rights! STUC? Different needs across different art forms.

Individual responsibility and collective responsibility.

Can you legally (coordinated strikes)?

All the public aware of how precarious artists wages are (relative yearly salary).

Public action about raising awareness of this precarity. How do you change the narrative in the public eye? Depiction of arts as a disposable luxury.

Art activism - direct activism. we have the skills to make a big eyecatching protest action. What are other examples of low paid worker mobilizations?

How can these workers not just hurt themselves!

Cheque with new unions (carers, cleaners, games workers).

15th of April = general protest (connected to Save the Filmhouse) cross arts protest.

Once unionised can strike during the fringe.

Bin strikes and climate protesters joined each other during pickets. Join pickets in solidarity (like LGBTQ+ with Miners). Walk the walk in solidarity (ie make banners for others.)

No UBI for artists without UBI for everyone.

How do we create dialogue and join the wider collective action?

As individuals, companies, buildings (what actions?)

Joining strikes in solidarity. When you have civic duty-what can you do day today?

Online-how I post-what can I put out there that will advocate.

Union-computer games. “School for sabotage” People on zero hour contracts. Three day workshop-what are tactics in low paid jobs. To unionise. Posters/ zines. What are other examples of this?

Flyposting. Guerrilla tactics.

How do you be disruptive during the fringe?

Joining a union- is there away?

Brazil-shows covering stories in the press. Solidarity action-let them come in and perform onstage. Using your platform to raise the voice of others.

Disrupt-be creative about protest and action.

Serge where can we go to use props and visuals etc for protest.

Mischief La Bas – collaboration.

Sanitization (or neoliberalism) of street theatre. Turn it back to being radical and disruptive. Being disruptive within regulations- sneaky!

“Disruptive Cities’ (book) - town planning structured to get rid of anything peripheral/ non profit/ troubling.

Open Space good for getting to the point. new line how do we use our skills to show support with other industrial action. Everything we're talking about has been done before! (Educate! Historical and geographical solidarity)

Activism is peer support. new line what about those who can't (physically) join the picket? How can they be included?

Recognise the variable risks for different people in taking political action (based on their situation). who can/ can't put their neck out?

Mhari Robertson online get togethers (mutual aid). Start regular zoom for peer support. Semi structured regular peer support for freelancers. Do they disband because it's unpaid labour?

Look at cooperative models. There is expertise for community support/ creation.

Is this for support or collective action? Can be both/ many things. Could generate splinter groups.

Put up with zoom calls if they lead to direct action.

Occupy buildings (ie Tramway sit in). lot spaces are around that are accessible and good for collective discussion activism etc.

Michief La Bas at Cadogan. (Rented but only have to pay bills.) moving out, need a new charity to take their place.

Can set up a charity within six months. Problems with charities? Decolonial perspective.

Outer- spaces: Spaces in Scotland major cities- rent free spaces, you can contact them and they can find temporary spaces (unused shops etc) for arts and cultural actions.

Decentralisation of this action also?

Fixed or roving spaces? Do you fix spaces help consolidate or stagnate? Zoom?