Commonwealth Games - A progressive deal for workers

The 2022 Commonwealth Games was a massive success for Birmingham. Everywhere you went in the city there was a buzz throughout the Games. Brummies were rightly proud that an international tournament was taking place in their city.

And the rest of the country saw Birmingham at its best. And about time too that the Second City got the wider recognition this wonderfully diverse, vibrant city deserves. 

Right from the outset the trade union movement backed the bid to bring the Games to Brum. And we managed to write trade union values into the heart of the Games by signing a landmark pledge to ensure that all artists and creatives who work during the Games are paid fairly, that the Games works to support the long term health of the creative sector in the region and actively promotes diversity.

The agreement was made in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games and cultural sector unions BECTU, Equity, Musicians’ Union and the TUC.

The MOU ensures that the nationally recognised rates of pay for creatives will be adhered to eliminating the risk of a race to the bottom on pay. Further, it makes clear the difference between volunteers, community art and professional work. In so doing trust and confidence has been built that will allow the full involvement of communities alongside properly paid and respected professional artists. 

In building a lasting cultural legacy, the MOU sets out a commitment to ‘support and promote diversity in the engagement of professional creative sector workers who are based in Birmingham and the Midlands in order to support the long term cultural and economic prosperity of the region.’ 

Importantly, it also sets a benchmark for the best working practices in the creative  industry ensuring a focus on delivering equality, diversity and inclusion, which is vital as a legacy for trade unions and the Games in our region. The Commonwealth Games belonged to all of us. And that includes the professional artists who played such an integral role in bringing the Games to life throughout the wonderful summer carnival of sport.

Now that the Games are over, we want to continue this work. We want the next Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Australia to replicate our agreement. And we want to ensure that other large-scale events in the Midlands and across the UK follow this path.

As we pass on the baton from Birmingham let’s secure a truly progressive legacy for all.