Equity says “respect workers’ rights” over Manchester Pride cost delays

Equity is urging performers ready for cost from August’s Manchester Pride occasion to get in contact with the union for help and recommendation. Equity has written to Manchester Pride following a number of drag artists and performers elevating considerations that they nonetheless haven’t been paid, with some reporting unprocessed funds  way back to June 2025. 

“Equity has received several queries from performers involved with working at Manchester Pride 2025 who are experiencing payment delays and have concerns that they will be left out of pocket after working the event in August”, defined Karen Lockney, Equity North West official. “We encourage other performers to contact us directly so that we can offer advice and support.”  

Join a Zoom assembly on Tuesday 21 October at 3pm to debate your scenario, and/or contact Equity on [email protected]   

Karen described 60-day cost phrases in performers’ contracts as “disappointing” and “unnecessarily long”. The business commonplace is a most of 30 days, making Manchester Pride an outlier. 

Karen defined why that is such an issue, saying: “Performers are self-employed workers who often have significant upfront costs in order to deliver extraordinary performances and experiences. Having to wait so long for payment puts an unnecessary financial burden on precarious workers. We expect an event which celebrates equality to be equally respectful of workers’ rights, and we urge Manchester Pride to respond to Equity urgently so that the information vacuum is addressed.” 

Drag artist Cadbury Parfait, a Manchester-based member of Equity’s Drag Network, referred to as the non-payment situation “disheartening”, saying: “it’s disheartening that a pride organisation who regularly talks of championing queer voices would actively withhold payment from queer grassroots performers. I imagine the likes of Nelly Furtado or Leigh Anne received their payment upfront, and yet local performers who continue to keep the scene running throughout the year go without payment.” 

The 60-day cost interval for many performers’ contracts expires on the finish of October, that means if cash isn’t paid by then Manchester Pride could be in breach of agreed cost intervals and authorized claims might begin to are available in. Worryingly, Equity has heard of excellent funds courting again to earlier in the summertime. 

Karen stated: “Equity has an active Drag Network of performers, and we are concerned to hear from members about a bigger backlog with some upfront payments not being processed from as far back as June. While we wait for Manchester Pride to respond to our enquiries, Equity will support members to bring claims, should payments not be forthcoming.” 

Equity is urging Manchester Pride to reply promptly to assist discover a decision for everybody who remains to be out of pocket. Equity would additionally welcome additional dialogue with Manchester Pride to keep away from conditions like this in future; to situation contracts that are consistent with business commonplace and good follow; and to assist guarantee individuals who work on this vital occasion don’t expertise this degree of uncertainty.   

Find out extra or be part of the Equity Drag Network. 

Sign up for our open assembly at 3pm on Tuesday 21 October to debate non-payment points. Open to each members and non-members. 

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